First XI Premier Division

South Woodford lost ground on new league leaders Shenfield after a disappointing away draw to Ilford.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat before putting on 247 for nine from 64 overs.

Anand Patel was the star of the show, hitting a magnificent 110 in 196 balls – an innings which included ten fours and one six.

Patel was ably supported by Kevin Sargent (50) but his half-century apart, the rest of the order were unable to add significant scores.

Ilford’s top order were in good form on a kind batting pitch, with only Nick Browne (three for 32) finding any real joy with the ball Gary Neicho, James Malin and Jake McMullen all claimed a wicket each but Ilford were the side closest to victory at the end as they were just four runs short at the close of play, on 244 for six.

South Woodford travel to Brentwood on Saturday, nine points off the top of the table.

It was an unhappy afternoon too for previous leaders Chingford, who failed to take advantage of South Woodford’s draw as they were thrashed by Brentwood.

Chingford batted first but were skittled for 115. Only Billy Rhone came away from the crease with any real credit, scoring an unbeaten 33, although number 11 Liam Lannen also added 16.

That score was always going to be difficult to defend and so it proved as Brentwood’s openers cruised to victory without losing a wicket.

Lannen bowled nicely, claiming three maidens and giving away only 23 runs in his seven overs, but Chingford need to improve if they are to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they host Chelmsford.

Another spirited display from Buckhurst Hill ended in defeat, as the bottom-of-the-table side lost to the new leaders by 39 runs.

Opting to bowl first, Buckhurst dismissed Shenfield for 234 thanks to five wickets from Rohan Bhome who bowled excellently in his 19 overs, giving away only 56 runs. Hendro Puchert was also on form as he claimed three for 72.

Puchert’s best contribution though, came with the bat as he made 96 including 12 fours and two sixes.

Puchert’s innings kept Buckhurst in contention for a shock victory but too many of his partners were dismissed cheaply and Shenfield ran out winners.

Buckhurst will be hoping to turn their form into points when they host Wanstead & Snaresbrook on Saturday.

Wanstead were themselves held to a tense draw against Chelmsford, with Rehan Hassan scoring a century.

Hassan’s 108 included three sixes and 12 fours and helped Wanstead post 257 for five from their 64 overs. Opener John Chambers hit 54, while Jonathan Das was left unbeaten on 27.

Chelmsford kept their run rate ticking over but Maurice Chambers (three for 59), Joe Ellis-Grewal (three for 53) and Mohammed Fayyaz Khan (two for 61) ensured any result was possible.

The shares were spoiled however as victory was denied for Wanstead by one wicket and Chelmsford by 11 runs as the batting side closed on 247 for nine.

First XI Division One

Woodford Wells recorded an excellent home win over Wickford thanks to a superb century from Rishabh Shah.

Shah’s 121 not out came in just 127 balls, as the number three hit 16 fours and one six to guide his side to victory.

Earlier Wickford had finished on 256 for six with Donovan Miller (three for 53) and Rory Ellison (two for 67) the only bowlers to find any real joy.

But Shah’s ton, as well as strong performances from Lawrence Farnum (68) and Rehan Iqbal (41), meant Wells eased home with eight wickets to spare.

Wells face a tough trip to league leaders Loughton on Saturday.

Loughton’s superb season shows no signs of abating after a routine four-wicket win over Harlow.

Harlow, who sit bottom of the table, were not outclassed in the contest but were always facing a tough test against superior opposition.

The underdogs were bowled out for 184 as Taqi Abbas (two for 51) did some damage early on before Bilal Butt (five for 47) ripped into the lower order.

That proved a fairly comfortable target for Loughton to chase as Fahad Anwar’s unbeaten 67 provided the spine to a successful chase that ended with four wickets left to spare.

Harlow’s defeat offered a chance to Fives & Heronians to pull away from the foot of the table but the relegation strugglers suffered a 51-run defeat to Ardleigh Green.

Green batted first and recovered from losing early wickets to put on 259 for seven. Fives’ bowlers struggled for consistency with Greg Summers the most potent, taking three for 78.

Fives weren’t far away in the chase but regular wickets high up the order proved crucial and the visitors were dismissed for 208.

Fives could climb out of the bottom two on Saturday when they host Orsett, who currently sit one place above them.

First XI Division Three

Woodford Green registered a four-wicket win over Benfleet in a crucial basement battle.

Green were made to field first and in hot conditions the visitors restricted Benfleet to 199. Muhammad Zahid Khatri was the pick of Green’s attack, taking five for 52 in 17.3 overs.

A decent total was made to look fairly ordinary however, as Green’s opening pair – Saad Ijaz (38) and Anthony Palmer (57) – made a positive start before Sean Martin’s unbeaten 57 sealed the win.

Green face a tough trip on Saturday to Westcliff-On-Sea.

West Essex are top of the table after securing a comfortable 130-run win away to Epping.

After winning the toss and deciding to bat, West Essex finished on 269 for seven as Irfan Riaz scored a superb 110 that included 19 fours and two sixes.

Riaz was well supported by Amir Khan’s 73 as Epping’s bowlers struggled for rhythm on a good batting track. Waqas Ahmad took two for nine in just 1.4 overs late on.

Epping made a positive start to the chase but regular wickets down the order killed any chances of victory and the hosts were eventually dismissed for 139.

West Essex face Basildon & Pitsea on Saturday, while Epping are at home to Old Parkonians.

They will be hoping to bounce back after suffering a damaging three-wicket defeat to Westcliff-On-Sea.

Deciding to bat first, Parks set a highly respectable 275 having lost six wickets along the way.

But on a decent pitch, that total proved insufficient and Westcliff sealed the win.