First XI Premier Division

It was Chingford’s weekend in the race for the title as they took advantage of South Woodford’s slip-up, beating Ilford by six wickets on Saturday.

Ilford won the toss and decided to bat and it looked a good decision as they reached 237 for nine.

Chingford’s Liam Lannen was the pick of the attack with four for 67, while Ben and Andrew MacGregor took two wickets each.

Excellent performances from Chingford’s top three laid the foundations for victory however as Daniel Lawrence hit 45, while Jay Edmonds and Ben MacGregor scored 66 and 60 respectively.

Chris Baldock was also left standing on 36 as the league leaders sealed the win.

Chingford are away on Saturday at Brentwood.

South Woodford were unable to secure the victory they needed as they were held to a disappointing draw with Chelmsford.

Choosing to bat first, South Woodford looked comfortable, declaring on 251 for four after 62.5 overs with opener Nick Browne leading the charge with a superb 131. Anand Patel (45) and Jake McMullen (39) also made valuable contributions.

But the hosts were less prolific with the ball. Gary Neicho took four for 51 and Browne continued his good form with two for 51.

But with the score on 230 for nine, South Woodford were unable to find the final wicket.

They play Ilford away on Saturday.

Buckhurst Hill came close to sealing their second win of the season but were undone by Colchester and East Essex.

Deciding to bowl first, Buckhurst struggled to trouble their opponents, who racked up 290 for seven.

But a gutsy batting display almost paid off for the visitors as nine made double figures, including Hendro Puchert (77), Alexander Maskell (50) and Josh Peters (36).

It wasn’t enough however, as some composed bowling meant Buckhurst finished 22 runs short.

Up next for Buckhurst Hill is Shenfield at home on Saturday.

Wanstead & Snaresbrook were one wicket away from a victory at home to Upminster but had to settle for a draw.

Winning the toss and opting to bat, Wanstead posted 253 with the innings peaking in the middle order as Jonathan Das (58), Adnan Akram (53) and Joe Ellis-Grewal (34) all scored important runs.

Ellis-Grewal then turned his talents to the ball, taking four for 54.

Upminster were always behind the required run rate but with just one wicket to spare, they managed to hold on for a share of the spoils, finishing on 206 for nine.

Wanstead are away on Saturday to Chelmsford.

First XI Division One

Loughton won their seventh match of the season to stay top of the league as they beat Ardleigh Green by four wickets.

The league leaders won the toss and chose to bowl but a measured batting display saw Green make 188 despite five wickets from Taqi Abbas. Misem Ali Syed-Zaidi did the damage to the middle order with three for 30.

In reply, Loughton got off to a shaky start but opener Mohammed Hafeez hit a quick-fire 70 off 79 balls to push the home side towards their target before Butt’s unbeaten 53 sealed the win.

Loughton are away to Harlow on Saturday.

Woodford Wells are one spot above the bottom two after drawing away to Hainault & Clayhall.

Wells were put into bat and the visitors took full advantage thanks to a fantastic 221-partnership from openers Andrew Baars and Peter McDermott.

A cultured century from Baars (104) which included 15 fours from 140 balls, was not matched by McDermott (98), who was run out two short of his ton, but the stand put Loughton in a commanding position.

With the openers gone though, Loughton lost five wickets for just 29 runs, finishing on 261 for seven.

Hainault never looked like reaching that total but Loughton struggled to break a resilient sixth-wicket partnership and eventually had to settle for a draw. Hainault finished on 170 for six.

Woodford Wells are at home on Saturday to Wickford.

Fives & Heronians’ recent upturn in form continued as they managed a draw with second-placed Hadleigh & Thundersley.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat, Fives were bowled out for 261. Terry Ballard top-scored with 68 but Gary Edwards (46), Bradley Knapman (22), Jamie Porter (27), Rahul Patel (26) and Jake Poulter (29) all contributed.

It took 118 runs for Fives to make the breakthrough but 100 runs later Hadleigh were seven wickets down and looking vulnerable. Only one more wicket fell however and the visitors finished on 230 for eight.

Jamie Porter (three for 79) and Jonny Kay (three for 52) were the pick of Fives’ attack.

Fives are away to Ardleigh Green on Saturday.

First XI Division Three

West Essex went top of the league with a 179-run win over Westcliff-On-Sea.

Choosing to bat first, West Essex declared on an impressive 301 for eight with Mubashir Javed (53), Asif Iqbal (53), Wahid Mahmood (61 not out) and Irfan Riaz (52) all making half-centuries.

In reply, Westcliff made a solid start but collapsed in the middle order as Mahmood (four for 14) and Arshad Mughal (four for 29) excelled, helping to bowl the visitors out for 122.

West Essex are away to Epping on Saturday.

Old Parkonians surrendered their place at the top of the league after they suffered a shock home defeat to Basildon & Pitsea.

Parks won the toss and chose to bat but were dismissed for a modest 175. Kirandeep Bansal (32), Shubhang Mehta (43) and James Foley (31) made good starts but didn’t go on to post big scores.

In reply, Basildon made batting look easy as they reached their target for the loss of just four wickets which were split evenly between Baldeep Mann (two for 26) and Mehta (two for 28).

Old Parkonians face Westcliff-On-Sea on Saturday.

Epping are propping up the table after a heavy 147-run loss away to Pegasus & Corringham.

Pegasus won the toss and chose to bat which looked a wise decision as the hosts put on 259 for just two wickets, taken by Masum Ahmed and Azzar Malik.

A tough day in the field was mirrored at the crease as Epping were bowled out for 112. Only Jacob Ellis came away with any real credit as he put on a gutsy 41.

Epping face a tough match at home to West Essex on Saturday.

Woodford Green lost at home to Old Brentwoods by three wickets.

Green batted first but were dismissed cheaply for 137.

The hosts made a spirited effort in the field, taking seven wickets but it wasn’t enough as Old Brentwoods sealed the win.

Woodford Green are away on Saturday to Benfleet.