First XI Premier Division

South Woodford are one point clear at the top after a 75-run win over Colchester and East Essex.

Colchester chose to field first and bowled South Woodford out for 199, with Max Shirt top-scoring on 41.

In reply, Colchester’s chase got off to a poor start and they never really recovered as Garry Neicho took four for five in his 13.4 overs, helping his side to a valuable win.

South Woodford are at home to Upminster on Saturday.

Upminster were on the end of a 178-run beating by Chingford, who stay second in the table after the win.

Chingford posted a massive 332, thanks in part to a superb 130 not out from Ben MacGregor. He hit 13 fours and faced 199 balls in his undefeated innings.

Alfie Taylor was also in the groove, hitting 75, including two sixes.

Upminster weren’t up to the task in reply, and were bowled out for 154 as Lenny Daniels, Shaun Eaton and Ryan Harris all took three wickets each.

Wanstead & Snaresbrook suffered a heavy defeat to Shenfield, losing by 125 runs.

With the start of play delayed due to rain and the match reduced to 112 overs, Wanstead chose to bowl first.

Joe Ellis-Grewal was the star of the show with the ball, taking seven for 86 from his 19 overs as Shenfield were bowled out for 266.

It was an impressive total and too strong for Wanstead, who were dismissed for 141 despite a spirited 55 from opener Arfan Akram.

Wanstead will be hoping to improve on their current league position of fifth on Saturday when they travel to second-placed Chingford.

Buckhust Hill’s tough start to the season continued as they lost to Brentwood by five wickets.

Buckhurst finished on 242 for five after Hendro Puchert hit a patient 114, while Harron Khan also played well for 63.

Brentwood however were more than up to the challenge and with all of their top six posting solid scores, they reached the target with five wickets to spare.

Buckhurst Hill play Chelmsford away on Saturday.

First XI Division One

League leaders Loughton suffered a shock defeat to fourth-placed Hainault & Clayhall.

Hainault batted first and declared on 229 for seven. Bilal Butt was the pick of the Loughton attack with four for 95.

Loughton made a disastrous start in the chase, falling to eight for two and 19 for four, and never recovered.

Some better batting from the likes of Hafiz Yawar Afzal (33) and Butt (26) made Loughton’s score respectable but the contest was over and the table toppers were dismissed for 130.

Loughton will be looking to bounce back away to Hadleigh & Thundersley on Saturday.

A solid batting display saw Woodford Wells beat Fives & Heronians by 18 runs.

Having been put into bat, seven Wells players made double figures with Rehan Iqbal (50) and Robert Leiper (35) scoring highest on the way to a total of 233.

Fives’ Rizwan Akram and Christopher White took three wickets each.

In reply, Fives made a strong start with Gary Edwards hitting 67 at number three.

Not enough runs were added down the order however, and Rory Ellison (four for 59) wrapped up victory for Wells.

Woodford Wells are away to Harold Wood on Saturday, while Fives take on Hainault & Clayhall.

First XI Division Three

Epping’s miserable start to the season continued as they lost to Old Brentwoods by 42 runs.

Old Brentwoods gave their opponents hope after posting a modest 130 as Ali Raza claimed four for 34.

But Epping’s batting fell apart and only Waqas Ahmad came out with any credit, finishing on 21, as the side were dismissed for 88.

Epping face Woodford Green away on Saturday.

Woodford Green slumped to a 102-run defeat against Old Parkonians.

Haris Khan (36) was the top scorer in Old Parkonians’ total of 167 for nine. Amrit Ryatt ended with figures of three for 35.

Set a target of 168, some tight bowling from Jiblan Azam (four for four) ripped through Woodford Green’s middle order and they were bowled out for 65.

Masood Qazi fared best with 13 but it was an innings to forget for his side.

Jibran Azam ended with impressive bowling figures of four for four as Old Parkonians completed a comprehensive victory.

West Essex earned a 13-run win over Benfleet.

Amir Khan was the top scorer with 46 as West Essex were bowled out for 174.

Zohair Jan’s figures of four for 30 saw Benfleet dismissed for 161 in 41.5 overs.

West Essex host Harlow Town on Saturday.