Third XI Premier Division

Bottom-of-the-pile Buckhurst Hill Thirds could not haul themselves out of the relegation zone as they were held to a draw at home to Brentwood Thirds.

Hill made an encouraging start after winning the toss and saw David Roberts (75) and Daniel Parkinson (46) combine to great effect.

David Rofe chipped in with a big score of 83 from number six and Buckhurst eventually declared on 270 for seven.

But Brentwood held out for a share of the spoils by making 240 for six, despite Parkinson’s three for 42.

A draw was enough to knock Wanstead and Snaresbrook Thirds out of the automatic promotion places as they were held to a stalemate by Chelmsford Thirds.

Wanstead will have every reason to feel hard done by after they put up a total of 229 for nine before declaring.

Chelmsford dug their heels in and ensured they would take something home from the contest by closing on 151 for six from 52 overs, sending Wanstead to third place in the league standings in the process.

Woodford Wells Thirds are still hanging on in the battle for promotion, despite losing by two wickets at home to Harlow Thirds.

Fourth and 16 points adrift of Chelmsford in second, Wells were unable to build on a bright start at the crease after Philip Ashwell (95) and Duncan Richard (33) found their rhythm.

The middle order collapsed, though, and Wells declared on 238 for nine.

Christian Hall took three for 51 for Wells but his defiance proved in vain as Harlow crept up to 240 for eight to win.

Third XI Division One

South Woodford Thirds had Shahab Umer’s century to thank for their 46-run win at Upminster Fourths, a result which leaves the away side in the second promotion spot.

Having won the toss South Woodford recovered from a start which saw Wesley Hutchins (19) and Mehul Parmar (0) dismissed in fine style. Umer made 123 before Arshad Rehman posted an unbeaten 53 to push the away side up to 250 for four.

Jonty Burah (five for 55), Hutchins (two for 29) and Raj Parmar (two for 35) then turned the screw with the ball to remove Upminster for 204.

Table-toppers Wanstead and Snaresbrook Fourths laid down another marker as they march towards promotion, beating Southend-on-Sea EMT Fourths by ten wickets in a convincing display.

Southend batted first after winning the toss but the home side were skittled out for 77 by a ruthless Wanstead attack.

The Wanstead openers then delivered the runs for victory, making it to 79 without loss in 13 overs.

Chingford Thirds did their slim survival hopes no good with a 142-run thrashing at Ilford Thirds.

Propping up the division, Chingford will be relegated this weekend if they lose and third-bottom Southend-on-Sea and EMT win.

Their latest defeat came after hosts Ilford put up a good total of 263 for seven (declared). Chingford’s James Bridge (three for 58) and Ahsan Vahidy (two for 73) did their best to stall Southend’s progress but could not prevent the home side posting a competitive score.

But Chingford were unable to follow suit. Mark Campbell opened with 41 and was by some distance the visitors’ top scorer, with only Howard Nicholson (15) and Jack Bassett (24) also reaching double figures.

Closing on 121, Chingford will be put out of their misery soon.

Third XI Division Two

Fives and Heronians Thirds were dire with the bat in their eight-wicket loss at home to Wickford Thirds and will take their survival battle to another week.

A mere five points clear of the drop, Fives were all out for just 95 after 42 overs with Steve Adcock (31) the only batsman to emerge with credit.

That score was never going to be a challenge for Wickford and the home side knocked off the required runs with ease, reaching 96 after 18 overs and with eight wickets still in hand.

Third XI Division Three

Amardeep Gudela’s century was enough for Loughton Fourths to clinch a three-wicket win at home to Hutton Fourths.

The away side declared on 222 for nine with Dominic Newlyn (four for 47) and Lynn Ninan (three for 68) bowling well to limit the damage Hutton could do.

But Loughton got their reply off to a dismal start as Avnish Jani (4), Neal Jani (14) and Curan Jani (4) were all removed cheaply.

That left Gudela (101) to step up to the plate and deliver victory, cracking 15 fours and two sixes in a tremendous display.

Ninan chipped in with 39 and Loughton got home with 223 for seven.

Woodford Green Thirds are hot on the tail on Walthamstow after a comfortable seven-wicket win at South Woodford Fourths.

Green, on 209 points, now trail second-placed Walthamstow, who occupy the second automatic promotion spot, by just 15 points with three games to play.

South Woodford opened the batting but were unable to build any momentum thanks to the bowling of Green’s Thomas Kelsey (five for 35), Javaad Hussain (three for 37) and Ian Simpson (two for 39), who restricted the hosts to 186 all out.

Matt Trim (53) and Edward Paleit (72) then laid on the majority of the runs needed as Green got home with a score of 188 for three after 46.4 overs to clinch the all-important 20 points.

West Essex Thirds boosted their chances of survival with a three-wicket home win against a poor Stanford Le Hope side.

The away team were removed for just 104 with Anil Clarke snaring four for 27 for West Essex, who then staggered to 105 with three wickets in hand. Ollie Carter (29 not out) top scored.