First XI Premier Division

Wanstead & Snaresbrook recorded a routine win away to bottom of the table Buckhurst Hill.

The visitors won the toss and decided to bowl which immediately looked a good decision as Maurice Chambers (three for 42) struck twice early on to leave Buckhurst nought for two.

The home side did recover slightly, largely thanks to Russell Beckett’s unbeaten 48 and a late 26 from Rob Petchey, but the total still looked vulnerable at 133.

Wanstead’s opener Arfan Akram was in a ruthless mood, hitting 62 not out off 74 balls including ten fours as the away side rattled off the runs with six wickets to spare.

Buckhurst’s Usman Sahar took three of the four scalps, finishing on three for 50.

Wanstead are at home to Brentwood on Saturday while Buckhurst face South Woodford.

South Woodford suffered a setback in their hunt for the top two as they were beaten by Brentwood.

Brentwood won the toss and chose to bowl and South Woodford duly struggled at the crease, setting a target of 129.

Jake McMullen top-scored with 33 while Joe Craddock (27) and Nick Browne (16) helped keep the score respectable.

It was easy pickings though for Brentwood who eased to victory with eight wickets to spare.

Chingford were held to a draw at home to Chelmsford despite a Daniel Lawrence century (118).

The home side batted first after winning the toss and posted an impressive 276 for six, with Jay Edmonds (49) and captain Ben MacGregor (58) offering able assistance.

Chelmsford were reduced to 59 for three in reply but overcame the rocky start to see out the innings, finishing on 216 for five at the close.

MacGregor was again involved in the action taking two for 46 as Chingford failed to overcome the away side’s middle order.

Chingford are away to second from bottom Colchester and East Sussex at the weekend.

First XI Division One

Fives & Heronians sent shockwaves through the bottom of the table as they thrashed fellow strugglers Orsett by eight wickets.

Losing the toss, Fives proceeded to bowl Orsett out for 180 as Jamie Porter, Jonny Kay and Rahul Bhome all took three wickets each.

In reply, Fives’ top order stepped up to the plate as Gary Edwards (65 not out), and Pete Kilpatrick (55 not out) wrapped up a superb win.

Fives are away on Saturday to Wickford.

League leaders Loughton registered a four-wicket win over Woodford Wells thanks in part to an excellent innings from opener Mohammed Hafeez.

Wells were bowled out for 202 with Rory Ellison top-scoring on 42. Bilal Butt was Loughton’s best bowler, taking four for 57.

In reply, Loughton’s Hafeez led from the front with a cultured 87 that included 12 fours and one six and the home side eased to a four wicket-win.

Loughton are away to Orsett on Saturday while Wells take on Hadleigh & Thundersley.

First XI Division Three

Top of the table West Essex continued their march towards the title with an emphatic victory at home to Basildon and Pitsea.

Zohair Jan starred with the ball, taking four for 45 as West Essex bowled out the visitors for just 113.

The home side were then able to blast their way to victory by knocking off the 114 runs needed in just 12.4 overs. Irfan Riaz finished unbeaten on 51 as his side closed on 144 for two.

West Essex will expect to continue their form into Saturday when they play third from bottom Woodford Green.

Old Parkonians continued their promotion push with a comfortable seven-wicket win away at the division’s strugglers Epping.

Jacob Ellis (34) top-scored for the hosts as they could only post 120 all out in 29.4 overs, whilst Vikram Handa was the pick of the Old Parkonians’ attack, taking four for 31.

The visitors only needed 14.2 overs to secure the victory, with Jibran Azam finishing on an unbeaten 37.

Epping’s search for their second win of the season takes them to Harlow Town this Saturday, whilst Old Parkonians play host to Old Brentwoods.

Woodford Green suffered a nine wicket defeat at the hands of Westcliff-On-Sea despite posting a very respectable 256 for nine in the first innings.

Joe Hawkes (94) top scored for Woodford Green as the hosts declared after winning the toss.

In reply, Westcliffe were allowed to score quickly and completed the win inside 42 overs.

Woodford Green will still be looking over their shoulder at the relegation zone and the games don’t get easier as they host top of the table West Essex this weekend.

Second XI Premier Division

Woodford Wells Seconds upset the odds to record a superb victory over Shenfield Seconds.

Wells, third from bottom, bowled second-placed Shenfield out for 170, with Samraj Sadra claiming an impressive five for 31 from his ten overs.

Wells then kept their composure in the chase as Matthew Reid-Evans hit an unbeaten 41 before Robert Leiper (32) and Maxwell Creese (39) helped wrap up an excellent win.

More giant-killing heroics will be required on Saturday when Wells are away to table-toppers Ilford Seconds.

Chingford Seconds held on to a draw away at title challengers Chelmsford Seconds.

The home side won the toss and decided to bat, eventually being bowled out for 195 just shy of 51 overs.

Neil Dial had the pick of the Chingford bowler’s figures, cleaning up the tail and finishing with four for 32.

Wicketkeeper Nick Shawyer spearheaded the resolute batting reply for the visitors, ending the innings unbeaten on 47 as Chingford finished on 162 for six.

Chingford face Colchester and East Sussex Seconds on Saturday as they continue their fight to avoid relegation.

Wanstead & Snaresbrook Seconds beat struggling Hornchurch Seconds by two wickets with Mahesh Velani scoring 94.

Opting to bowl first, Wanstead dismissed Hornchurch for 194 as Adam Lord and Azhar Janjua took three wickets each.

In reply, Velani’s excellent innings provided the platform for the win although late wickets made it tighter than it should have been.

Wanstead are away on Saturday to Brentwood Seconds who beat South Woodford Seconds by two wickets.

South Woodford Secpmds were bowled out for 155 having decided to bat first and Brentwood Seconds surpassed that score for the loss of eight.

South Woodford are away on Saturday to Hornchurch Seconds.

Second XI Division One

The battle between second and third ended with a win for Upminster Seconds over Loughton Seconds.

Loughton batted first and an excellent team effort from the visitors, which included eight out of nine batsmen making double figures, saw a total of 247 posted.

Rishi Patel hit a half century with an unbeaten 51.

Upminster though were more than a match for that effort and eased to 252 for the loss of six wickets.

Loughton are at home on Saturday to Orsett Seconds.

Buckhurst Hill Seconds remain top of the table after beating Hainault & Clayhall Seconds by 54 runs.

Buckhurst batted first and a strong performance saw the visitors declare on 254 for five.

That was more than enough as Hainault were dismissed for 200.

Buckhurst Hill host Harold Wood Seconds on Saturday.

Fives & Heronians Seconds lost to Orsett Seconds, despite an unbeaten century from Hugo Blogg.

Blogg finished on 100 exactly and was well-supported by Oliver Lalor-Harbord (75) and Christopher White (59) as Fives posted 249.

Orsett though were in imperious form with the bat and reached the total with six wickets to spare.

Fives’ Ali Cayir took two for 20.

On Saturday, Fives are at home to Wickford Seconds.

Second XI Division Two

West Essex Seconds secured a draw in a high-scoring encounter at Basildon and Pitsea Seconds.

West Essex decided to chase having won the toss and were set a difficult 292 to win after an impressive Basildon and Pitsea batting display.

Mohammed Zahour shone with the ball, taking three for 22.

In reply, West Essex eventually finished on 242 for seven from 39 overs with Kabir Khan unbeaten on 83.

West Essex are at home on Saturday to Stanford Le Hope Seconds.

Second XI Division Three

Epping Seconds enjoyed a convincing seven-wicket win away at Old Parkonians Seconds.

The visitors won the toss and restricted Old Parkonians to 237 for seven declared from 40.2 overs.

In a high scoring fixture, Epping chased down the total in impressive fashion, scoring at almost six an over to secure the win with a score of 238 for three from 41 overs.

Third plays fourth this weekend as Epping host Harlow Town Seconds, whilst Old Parkonians are involved in a relegation fixture with Old Brentwoods Seconds as the division’s two bottom sides meet.

Woodford Green Seconds lost in a close encounter with Belhus Seconds, eventually going down by three wickets.

Half-centuries from Mark Smith (67) and Jagjit Singh (60) helped Woodford to 251 for eight declared.

However, the hosts were able to chase down the total in 47 overs for the loss of seven wickets.

The Woodford Green attacked shared the wickets with Singh, Shazhad Riaz and Yasin Mohammed all picking up two apiece.