Second XI Premier Division

Chingford remain just above the bottom two despite a humbling ten-wicket defeat to Brentwood Seconds.

Opting to bat first, Chingford were skittled for 75 as only two players – Christopher Stephens (17) and Paul Shawyer (16) – hit double figures.

Brentwood were done and dusted with their reply in 15 overs as both openers reached the target without loss.

Chingford will be hoping to do better when they travel to Chelmsford Seconds on Saturday.

Woodford Wells could have climbed out of the bottom two after Chingford’s defeat but a four-wicket loss to Colchester & East Essex Seconds saw the chance go begging.

Wells chose to bat first and posted a reasonable target of 193 as Nicholas Sims top-scored on 48.

Colchester were composed in their chase though, and despite three wickets for Chirag Pithia and two for Deepak Sinha, the home side wrapped up victory for the loss of six wickets.

Wells are at home to second-placed Shenfield Seconds on Saturday.

Wanstead & Snaresbrook Seconds beat high-flying Chelmsford Seconds after Azhar Janjua put on an excellent bowling display.

Janjua fully justified Wanstead’s decision to bowl as he took six for 31 from his 9.3 overs which included two maidens.

James Fitzgerald (three for 17) was also on song as second-placed Chelmsford were bowled out for an extremely modest 101.

Wanstead lost more wickets than they perhaps would have liked in reply but Nikunj Velani’s 35 and Mahesh Velani’s unbeaten 29 ensured the victory was secured for five wickets lost.

Wanstead host Hornchurch on Saturday.

South Woodford Seconds enjoyed a less successful afternoon, losing to table-toppers Ilford Seconds by 72 runs.

Ilford set a target of 168 from their 49.2 overs with Woodford’s Louis Cant producing the best bowling figures of four for 20. Matthew Lancaster wasn’t far behind with three for 33.

But Woodford’s solid performance with the ball was undermined by a miserable one with the bat as only Lancaster (40) made it past 20 and the team were bowled out for 96.

South Woodford host Brentwood on Saturday.

Second XI Division One

Buckhurst Hill Seconds kept their unbeaten record intact after beating third-placed Loughton Seconds.

Loughton were made to bat first and scored 163 with opener Tom Turner managing 37 before Mahmad Ali Khali added 53.

Buckhurst’s Darren Ironside was the pick of the Loughton attack, claiming four for 26, while Sandeep Singh also bowled well for three for 49.

Loughton were unable to replicate Buckhurst’s success in the field however and the batting side eased to a seven-wicket win.

Opener Ricky Reynolds led from the front with 77 and there were good knocks too for Ed Buxton (33) and Ironside (23).

Buckhurst are away to Hainault & Clayhall Seconds on Saturday, while Loughton face a trip to Upminster Seconds.

Fives & Heronians Seconds hauled themselves out of the bottom two with a morale-boosting win over Hutton Seconds.

Fives won the toss and decided to bat as they took advantage, posting 253 for eight from their 52 overs.

That proved more than enough as Hutton were bowled out for 176 runs – 77 runs short of the target.

Fives Seconds travel to Orsett Seconds on Saturday.

Second XI Division Two

West Essex Seconds did their chances of survival the world of good with a three-wicket win over Ardleigh Green Seconds.

Green, who are one place above West Essex, were put in to bat and they took their opportunity well, finishing on 259 for three from 44 overs.

Usman Aslam took two wickets with Waqas Butt claiming the other but it was Green who looked to be in the stronger position at the turnaround.

A superb run chase however, that saw all but one batsman reach double figures, meant West Essex reached their target for the loss of seven wickets.

Sunil Dwivedi (57), Shahab Umer (56) and Kabir Khan (30) were the top three scorers in an excellent team display.

West Essex Seconds are away to Basildon & Pitsea Seconds on Saturday.

Second XI Division Three

An impressive batting performance earned Epping Seconds a surprise draw against top-of-the-table Billericay Seconds.

Billericay decided to bowl first but that decision looked questionable as Epping racked up 286 from their 52 overs.

Ahsan Muhammad top-scored with 77 but there were several good contributions including Ramiz Miah and Tapan Patel, who both scored 38.

In the field, wickets for Salahuddin Quadir (two for 32) and Tapan Patel (two for 31) gave Epping hope of a win but Billericay finished on 186 for six and both sides had to settle for a draw.

On Saturday, Epping face Old Parkonians Seconds, who were heavily beaten by Belhus Seconds by 183 runs.

Belhus were inserted and hit an imposing 252 which was more than enough as Parks crumbled to 69 all out.

It was a better afternoon for Woodford Green Seconds, who recorded an emphatic win over Benfleet Seconds.

Green were put in to bat and opener Barry Leigh took full advantage, hitting an impressive 104. Robert Newman was also on form as he was left unbeaten on 48 with Green finishing on 256 for five.

Benfleet were less prolific and struggled to cope with the bowling of Rishabh Mehan, who finished with excellent figures of six for 49 from his 13.1 overs and helped bowl out the opposition for 149.

Green are at home on Saturday to Belhus Seconds.