Skipper Roy Smith sets sights on completing first leg of a historic treble

Hornchurch have a chance to win silverware this weekend as they prepare for the Dukes Essex T20 finals day at Billericay.

Roy Smith’s team face Premier Division side Chelmsford in their semi-final on Sunday and will take on South Woodford or Colchester in the final if successful.

With Hornchurch top of the Essex League Division One table and into the last four of the League Cup, a historic treble is on the cards for Smith and Co.

The captain knows it will not be a walk in the park, but is desperate to give the club some silverware.

“It won’t be easy, but we beat Chelmsford in the League Cup and we will be confident,” said Smith. “The short format suits us with our explosive batting and young, enthusiastic fielding team.

“It would be brilliant to win it, the club has put a lot of hard work in this year and it would be really nice to pick up some silverware because people are working hard here and they deserve success, but we need to play well on the day.”

The first priority for Hornchurch this weekend, however, is the bread and butter of the league campaign.

Fourth-placed Woodford Wells make the trip to Harrow Lodge Park and Smith knows they will provide a strong test.

He added: “They are another good side and they gave us a decent game earlier in the season.

“We are at home this time so we have that advantage and a lot of the boys are in good nick. We will be as positive as ever and stick to what we know and hopefully we get another victory.”

Hornchurch’s impressive momentum continued last week as they triumphed in both matches.

They travelled to promotion rivals Shenfield on Saturday and after winning the toss managed to hit 293 before being dismissed. Smith top scored with 91, while Paul Walter struck 69 to help them post a respectable total.

Shenfield made a decent attempt at chasing down that score, but Marc Whitlock (2-48) halted their progress and Max Osborne picked up three late wickets to bowl the hosts out for 249.

Smith added: “I was happy to win the toss on a good wicket and it was pleasing to get runs on the board first. I was a bit disappointed with the total because we should have really got 330 or 340. I got out after the drinks break and could have made a big score really.”

That wasn’t to matter though as the next day Smith hit a brilliant 107 not out to guide his side to a five-wicket victory against Billericay in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

“It was superb for the club, it was a big weekend with big games and we delivered,” added Smith.

He’ll hope Hornchurch do the same again this weekend.