Third XI Premier Division

A big knock of 131 from Mark Webb proved decisive as Woodford Wells Thirds overcame Hutton Thirds by 114 runs.

Webb’s total was boosted by Philip Ashwell (32) and Paul Murphy (54) as the visitors opted to declare after reaching 273 for six.

And the decision was vindicated as Robert Smith (three for 37) and Iain Wilson (four for 54) took charge with the ball and skittled the home side out for 159.

Buckhurst Hills Thirds were undone by their poor display with the bat as they succumbed to a five-wicket home loss at the hands of Shenfield Thirds.

Simon Bance’s unbeaten 70 was the highlight of the Buckhurst innings, which came to a close at 139 after only two other batsmen mustered double figures.

Shenfield’s reply was to reach 143 for five, after Abdul Ghaffer took three for 34 for Buckhurst.

Wanstead & Snaresbrook Thirds punished Upminster Thirds’ decision to declare as they enjoyed a five-wicket victory to start the new season.

Having taken 52 overs to reach 160 for six, the visitors declared but were left ruing that decision when Wanstead got home with 162 and five wickets in the bank.

Third XI Division One

Loughton Thirds opted to declare but still failed to remove Southend-on-Sea and were held to a draw.

A big 77 from Bradley Ormsby at number three provided the backbone of the Loughton innings, with support coming from Umer Choudary (29) and Jonathan Almond (38 not out).

Declaring on 279 for five, Loughton were unable to account for a durable Southend reply.

Mansoor Ahmad took two for 24 but it was a disappointing day in the field for Loughton as Southend closed on 206 for six.

Chingford Thirds were unable to defend their total as they lost out by three wickets at home to Hornchurch Thirds.

A strong start with the bat saw Chingford declare on 203 for nine, with Jack Bassett (60), Ameetab Ashok (32) and Randheer Ponnamkunnath (28) all contributing to an encouraging start.

But Chingford could not take full advantage and were undone as Hornchurch reached 204 with three wickets to spare.

Wanstead & Snaresbrook Fourths made light work of brushing aside Upminster Fourths by five wickets.

Dismissed for 76, Upminster fared a little better with the ball as their opponents got home on 82 for five.

South Woodford Thirds were too good for Colchester & East Essex Thirds, sealing a 23-run win.

All out for 206 after electing to bat, South Woodford then skittled their visitors for 183.

Third XI Division Two

Aqeel Ilias took four for 24 to aid Fives & Heronians Thirds’ five-wicket win over Hadleigh & Thundersley Thirds.

Ilias and Abbas Mirza (two for 14) helped topple Hadleigh for 156, with Andrew Mitchell’s 90 the highlight.

Third XI Division Three

West Essex Thirds had Riz Akbar’s two for one to thank for their seven-wicket stroll past South Woodford Thirds.

Away side South Woodford found runs difficult to come by, with Bikram Singh’s 29 the top score in a total of 145 all out.

Bilal Riaz (67) and Hamzah Wajid (37 not out) then put together the partnership which saw West Essex reach 146 to seal the win with seven wickets in hand.

It was an afternoon to forget for ten-man Loughton Fourths, who were powerless to prevent a 130-run shellacking at Hainault & Clayhall Fourths.

Set a target of 206 for seven declared, the hosts were only able to put up 76 all out in response.

Matt Trim hit an unbeaten century as Woodford Green Thirds cruised to a 110-run win at Stanford Le Hope Thirds.

And Trim’s knock proved pivotal as only William Rowlands (33) made another contribution of note in a total of 208 for eight declared.

But Stanford were dispatched for 98 with Ashok Patel claiming four for 32.