Second XI Premier Division

Wanstead and Snaresbrook Seconds remain on track for the title after Nabeel Aziz’s five-for helped them to a two-wicket win over Upminster Seconds.

Visitors Upminster elected to open the batting after winning the toss. Andrew Louw (one for 26) made the breakthrough with just 15 runs on the board before Aziz (five for 36) snared the first of his victims by removing Elliott Timoti (16).

Aziz and Adam Lord (two for 34) combined effectively to rattle through the rest of the Upminster order, removing the away side for just 167.

Mohammad Ali Syed Zaidi (54) provided the mainstay of the Wanstead innings with partners at the crease coming thick and fast.

But it was not until Lord, batting at number seven, came in and made 52 that Wanstead wrapped up the win by making it to 168 with two wickets to spare.

Bottom-of-the-league South Woodford Seconds moved a step closer to their inevitable relegation after going down by nine wickets at home to Brentwood Seconds.

Thirty-four points shy of safety with three games remaining, South Woodford opened the batting after winning the toss but could only put up a meagre total of 121 for nine; Asher Gilani (62) top scoring.

Brentwood then made light work of wrapping up the points, reaching 122 in the 17th over with just one wicket down.

Chingford Seconds are almost safe from the threat of relegation but know another win will be required to make certain after a five-wicket loss at Chelmsford Seconds.

Fourth from bottom, Chingford are 32 points clear of the drop zone but with three to play could be dragged into the mire still if they relax.

The away side were inserted and although Zishan Rehman (46) opened in encouraging fashion, the rest of the order failed to fire and Chingford were all out for an underwhelming 126 after 37.4 overs.

Chingford’s bowling duo of Harry Samuel (two for 26) and Scott Prestedge (two for 18) had some early joy but could stem the tide on the their own and even after Gary Chidley (14) was bowled early on, Chelmsford made it to 129 for five to wrap up victory after 35.5 overs.

Bar a considerable turn up Woodford Well Seconds’ hopes of sneaking into the promotion picture were ended with a draw at Southend-on-Sea and EMT Seconds.

Still needing to make up a 90-point gap, Wells were left to rue a poor batting display. The home side were inserted after Woodford won the toss and capitalised fully, reaching 247 for eight (declared).

The Wells reply centred on a knock of 106 from Louis Poynter but the rest of the order could not follow his lead and the away team were left to secure a draw by making 181 with four wickets still in hand.

Second XI Division One

Abdul Nasir finished with a five-for but it was not enough for Loughton Seconds to wrap up victory at Orsett Seconds.

The away side won the toss first and made good use of the wicket to put up 304 for five (declared).

Tom Turner (39) and Fahad Anwar (80) enjoyed a fruitful union at the top of the order before Umar Choudhry (75) and John Mills (38) piled on further runs.

Once Orsett dangerman Joseph Mitchell (52) was gone to Nasir (five for 33), Loughton looked in pole position to wrap up the win but could not take the final four wickets and the home side held out for a share of the spoils with a total of 140 for six.

Buckhurst Hill Seconds strengthened their position at the summit with a three-wicket win at Fives and Heronians Seconds courtesy of Carl Solomons’ knock of 77.

Fives won the toss and decided to bat first, making a bright start through openers Neil Brathwaite (48) and Hugo Blogg (51).

But the runs did not continue to flow as freely and although the middle order mostly got starts, they could not go on to post meaningful scores.

That was largely thanks to Anal Patel (three for 41) and Ryan Small (three for 46) who helped restrict the hosts to 197 all out with tight spells.

Solomons (77), alongside Hermes Michael Solomonides (14), laid the foundations for Buckhurst Hill to pick up the points, with Daniel Isaacs making an unbeaten 38 to help the visitors to a winning total of 198 for seven.

Second XI Division Two

West Essex Seconds are still just about in the promotion shoot-out after a four-wicket home with against Leigh on Sea Seconds.

The away side batted first but never convinced and with Omer Hussain (three for 16) and Rehan Shamim (three for 42) impressing for the hosts.

Azhar Ali (51) then inspired West Essex to victory with the bat, top-scoring to guide the home side to 145 for six after 34.1 overs.

Second XI Division Three

Bottom-of-the-league Epping Seconds powered their way to a shock first win of the season by ten wickets at home to Old Brentwoods Seconds.

The visitors won the toss and decided to have first use of the wicket. Having reached 226 for five after 48.2 overs, Brentwood declared.

But they were made to pay for a below-par batting performance in emphatic fashion by the hosts.

A stunning unbeaten 116 from Marc Meyer-Webb came alongside Amit Ojha (79) and the duo batted their way to a first win of the season without loss, bringing up 227 in after 37.2 overs.

Woodford Green Seconds edged out Basildon and Pitsea Seconds by three wickets to creep closer to safety.

Hosts Basildon made 164 all out before the away side replied with 168 for seven after 44 overs to wrap up victory and move to within 13 points of safety.

Oakfield Parkonians Seconds were six-wicket winners at Horndon on the Hill Seconds, a win which edges them closer to promotion.

The home side declared after making it to 274 for six before Parks knocked off the runs to reach 277 for four.