South Woodford Seconds lose ground on top two after defeat to league leaders Chelmsford Seconds

South Woodford Seconds lost ground on the top two after a four-wicket defeat to league leaders Chelmsford Seconds.

Woodford were put into bat and made a competitive 183 with Shaun Gymer hitting an expansive 65 and opener Michael Browne making 32.

But the total proved insufficient as Chelmsford’s talented batting order racked up the required runs with four wickets to spare.

South Woodford Seconds are at home on Saturday to Ilford Seconds.

Chingford Seconds were also found wanting against one of the league’s front-runners, losing to Ilford Seconds by eight wickets.

Chingford chose to bat but were bowled out for a slim 126 with opener Zaheer Nazir top-scoring on 33.

That total didn’t leave the visitors much to play with and so it proved as Ilford won the match, losing just two wickets in the process.

On Saturday, Chingford Seconds are at home to Brentwood Seconds.

Wanstead & Snaresbrook Seconds’ batsmen came up 24 runs short against Woodford Wells Seconds.

It was a good win for Wells, who posted an impressive 225 thanks largely to a century from Tomas Corbyn (104) before Samraj Sadra added a good 49 lower down the order.

Wanstead’s bowlers worked hard in testing conditions and Jack Lord, Adam Lord and Dave Richardson were each rewarded with three wickets.

The visitors made a good start in their chase as openers Joseph Palmer (38) and Ryan Hammill (30) laid a strong foundation.

Disappointing scores in the middle-order, with the exception of Mahesh Velani’s 42, made victory unlikely however and four wickets for 42 from Samraj Sadra wrapped up the win for Wells.

Wanstead are at home on Saturday to Chelmsford Seconds, while Wells visit Colchester & East Essex Seconds.

Second XI Division One

League-leaders Buckhurst Hill Seconds were held to a draw at home to Wickford Seconds.

Wickford won the toss and decided to bowl. Buckhurst finished on 225 for eight but their opponents batted well to make 189 for eight at the close of play which earned them a draw.

Buckhurst play Loughton Seconds on Saturday.

Loughton Seconds were unable to take advantage of Buckhurst’s slip-up as they too were held to a draw against Hutton Seconds.

Batting first, Loughton hit an imposing 267 for nine as Hamza Hussain starred with 83 and Tom Turner played well for 40.

Hutton were also in good form with the bat and made 213 in 45 overs. Loughton took seven wickets, with Adam Vinson claiming four, but it wasn’t enough to clinch victory.

Loughton are at home to Buckhurst Hill Seconds on Saturday.

Fives & Heronians Seconds were beaten by Hadleigh & Thundersley Seconds despite another strong batting performance.

Hadleigh batted first and cruised to 314 for five from their 52 overs which looked more than enough to win the match.

Fives fought hard at the crease as seven players made double figures, including half-centuries from James McKay (51) and Christopher White (53).

It wasn’t enough though, as the visitors were eventually bowled out for 267 which left them 47 runs short.

Fives & Heronians Seconds are at home on Saturday to Hutton Seconds.

Second XI Division Two

West Essex Seconds lost to Westcliff-On-Sea Seconds by 44 runs.

Westcliff won the toss and decided to bat before scoring 272. Mohammed Zahour took three for 63 for West Essex, while Rehan Shamim, Ibrahim Nazir and Sunil Dwivedi claimed two wickets each.

West Essex were more than competitive in the chase. Number three Shahab Umer was bowled four runs short of a half-century and Usman Raja hit a useful 40.

But despite a solid team effort, the away side were bowled out for 228.

West Essex Seconds are at home to Ardleigh Green Seconds on Saturday.

Second XI Division Three

Epping Seconds were held to a disappointing draw with Pegasus & Corringham Seconds.

Batting first, Epping put on 245 all out with Salahuddin Quaddir (68) and Tapan Patel (45) both adding decent contributions.

It was a good enough total to prevent defeat but Pegasus dug in and finished on 155 for six as Loughton were unable to bowl their opponents out.

Epping Seconds are away at Billericay Seconds on Saturday.

Old Parkonians Seconds lost to Old Southendian & Southchurch Seconds by eight wickets.

Parks batted first and scored 196 all out. Opener Alan Bouquet flourished with 47, while lower down the order Kirubagaran Jayapragasam hit 41.

On a good batting pitch however, the hosts made light work of that total which they reached for the loss of just two wickets.

Parks host Belhus Seconds on Saturday.

Woodford Green Seconds beat Old Brentwoods Seconds by five wickets with bowler Rishabh Mehan taking five wickets.

Mehan’s five for 55 helped dismiss Brentwoods for 155 which Green surpassed in 32 overs.

Nick Bruce hit 59 and opener Mark Smith scored 32 as the visitors won with five wickets in hand.

Woodford Green Seconds host Benfleet Seconds on Saturday.