First XI Premier Division

League leaders South Woodford suffered a surprise defeat to Chelmsford after a disappointing batting display on Saturday.

Chelmsford batted first and finished on 259 for four as the Woodford attack struggled to make inroads.

Jake Macmullen took two for 62 and Nick Browne managed one for 68.

A handful of Woodford batsmen made solid starts but none managed to go on and hit a big total as Kevin Sargent top-scored on 47 and the visitors were dismissed for 197.

Second-placed Chingford took advantage of South Woodford’s loss and moved within a point of the leaders by beating struggling Ilford by seven wickets.

Ilford chose to bat and posted 187, with Ryan Harris taking three for 31.

In reply, Chingford’s top five did the business with all of the top order making contributions, headed by Ben MacGregor, who carried his bat for 42.

Chingford and South Woodford will fight it out for top spot when they face each other on Saturday.

Buckhurst Hill registered a vital home win over fellow strugglers Colchester and East Essex.

The hosts decided to bat and set a strong target of 263 thanks in part to Hendro Puchert’s 96 as well as Ed Buxton’s 48.

Colchester started brightly but flagged in the middle order and Rohan Bhome (four for 27) and Sandeep Singh (three for 44) helped secure a 59-run victory.

Buckhurst, who are at home on Saturday to third-placed Upminster, remain bottom of the table but are now on equal points with the two teams above them.

Wanstead & Snaresbrook recorded their third win of the season as they beat Upminster by five wickets away from home.

Upminster chose to bat first and put on 310, with Rehan Hassan claiming best figures of four for 59.

In reply, Wanstead started well, with opener Arfan Akram hitting 12 fours and two sixes on his way to an important 79.

The star of the show however was Kishen Velani, who put on a superb 109 in 67 balls before Adnan Akram’s 65 helped wrap up the win.

Wanstead are at home on Saturday to struggling Ilford.

First XI Division One

Loughton extended their lead at the top of the table with a three-wicket victory away to Ardleigh Green.

The visitors restricted Ardleigh to 199 for eight as Mohammad ali Syed-Zaidi Jnr took three for 46.

Loughton reached that total in 49.5 overs as Amar Nico Akhtar hit an unbeaten 89.

The table-toppers play Wickford away from home on Saturday.

Woodford Wells lost at home to Hainault & Clayhall by 93 runs.

Wells decided to bowl, which looked a bad decision as their opponents cruised to 168 before the first wicket fell.

Ashfaq Ahmed hit 104 as Hainault set an impressive target of 270.

Wells never really came close to that total as they were dismissed for 177. Opener Andrew Baars top-scored on 32.

Wells are away to Harlow on Saturday.

Fives & Heronians put up a brave fight but lost by two wickets to high-flying Hadleigh & Thundersley.

Batting first, Fives posted 233 for nine from 50 overs, with Gary Edwards falling just short of a half-century on 43.

Early wickets taken by Jamie Porter (four for 42) gave Fives hope of victory but a late stand saw Hadleigh through with two wickets to spare.

Fives are at home on Saturday to Harold Wood.

First XI Division Three

Old Parkonians remain top of the division as they recorded a 42-run victory against Basildon & Pitsea.

Parkonians decided to bat first after winning the toss and they went on to make 297 for nine from their 50 overs.

Basildon’s reply was steady but they couldn’t score the runs that would ensure them victory. In the end they came up short, finishing on 255.

An impressive knock of 109 from Anthony Palmer helped Woodford Green record a 49-run win against Old Brentwoods.

Green posted a total of 350 for seven off their 50 overs. Palmer top-scored but Leon Davies also impressed as he struck 13 fours en route to 94.

The Brentwoods batsmen all scored solidly, Reece Khan (72) the stand-out performer. But despite a spirited chase, they ran out of time and ended on 301 for eight as Green celebrated a hard-fought victory.

Sean Martin (three for 37) and Muhammad Zahid-Khatri (three for 62) both impressed with the ball for Woodford.

West Essex suffered a heavy 186-run defeat against Westcliff-On-Sea.

After winning the toss, West Essex decided to start in the field. It proved the wrong decision as Westcliff amassed a strong total of 287 for six from their 50 overs.

West Essex’s reply never got going and they lost wickets regularly throughout. Their innings was brought to an early end as they were skittled for just 101 in the 30th over.

Epping’s miserable start to the season continued as they lost at home to Pegasus & Corringham by five wickets.

Batting first, a number of Epping’s batsmen made encouraging starts but were unable to capitalise. Simon Lycett top-scored on 48 as the team were all out for 231.

Pegasus made light work of the chase, reaching their target for five wickets.

Epping travel to lowly Basildon & Pitsea on Saturday.