Second XI Premier Division

In the battle of the big hitters, Wanstead and Snaresbrook Seconds’ Mahesh Velani came out on top against Chingford Seconds.

A knock of 133 from Velani guided the hosts to a seven-wicket win over their opponents, who had their own centurion in James Hill (122).

Batting first, the visitors declared on 253 for seven, with Hill providing the mainstay of their innings.

Paul Shawyer added 73 and Andrew MacGregor made 41 before the declaration.

Ishmael Dar (74 not out) and Velani (133) put on a stand of 207 before the latter was caught by Truptesh Patel off the bowling of Neil Dial.

A further 45 from Sachin Vaja helped Wanstead home with 257 for three.

Kerry Marriott took two for 46 for the visitors.

Neal Abhyankar took six for 24 as South Woodford Seconds were beaten by two wickets at Chelmsford Seconds.

Put into bat, the visitors started brightly as Michael Browne reached 36 from 56 balls.

The runs dried up and only Indika Wickramaratne (25) and Saihaj Jaspal (13 not out) prevented a more comprehensive defeat.

Abhyankar ripped through the heart of the Woodford attack as they were removed for 130.

Chelmsford made hard work of reaching 134 for eight, with Shaun Gymer enjoying some success up against the home batsmen.

Vithullan Sapaetharan (27) and Nicholas Bailey (26) top scored.

Gymer took five for 41 but his haul proved in vain.

Buckhurst Hill Seconds were disappointing in defeat at they lost at home to Brentwood by seven wickets.

The hosts were invited to bat first but made just 147 before being bowled out.

In reply, Brentwood reached 148 having lost just three wickets in the process.

Second XI Division One Wajahat Bukhari took five for 28 to help Loughton Seconds to a two-wicket win at Southend-on-Sea EMT Seconds.

Having elected to bat, Southend started well with Kevin Grant (62) and Joe Sibbons (30) building a good partnership.

The hosts could not continue their start and only Callum Druce (28) offered any real resistance as they were removed for 186.

On top of Bukari’s five-wicket haul, Daniel Gymer claimed three for 34.

Fifty-five from Ashfaq Parvez got Loughton off to a strong start before a crucial late knock from Asim Aslan (77).

The visitors reached 190 with two wickets in hand to secure the win.

Brian Schofield took seven for 47 as Woodford Wells Seconds recorded a five-wicket win at home to Hadleigh and Thundersley Seconds.

Having been put into bat, the visitors began sluggishly and were 89 for five before Alex Gilbert (38) came in at seven.

Schofield excelled at the crease, taking apart the Hadleigh line-up and recording six maidens in 17 overs to boot.

Wells were assured with the bat, reaching 123 for three when William Rodgers was dismissed on 45.

Matthew Reid-Evans (12) and Ross Ritchie (6) were left to hit the winning runs as the home side scored 170 for five.

Wagstaff was the visitors’ most effective bowler, taking two for 29.

Fives and Heronians Seconds drew at Orsett Seconds as time ran out.

The home side declared on 199 for five, with Stuart Moon (75) top scoring after 44 overs.

Relegation-threatened Orsett then restricted Fives effectively, with the visitors closing on 170 for six.

Gary Norris (33) top-scored for the visitors, who had been scoring steadily before time ran out.

Second XI Division

Two West Essex Seconds cruised past ten-man Westcliff-on-Sea Seconds by eight wickets.

Choosing to bat first, visitors Westcliff could only muster 128 and were removed after 31.3 overs.

The hosts made minimal fuss of chasing down that total, losing just two wickets in reaching 130 after 22.5 overs.

Second XI Division Three

Haaris Shah carried Oakfield Parkonians Seconds to a two-wicket win over Epping Seconds with a knock of 156.

Put into bat, visitors Epping began brightly with Bhavesh Dharmani (85) and Ahsan Muhammad Javaid (63 not out) contributing important scores.

A batting collapse then ensued as Epping finished on 272 for nine before declaring.

Dilan Patel was the most effective Parks bowler, taking five for 67.

The Oakfield response got underway with Shah’s 156, which ultimately proved pivotal as the rest of the attack faltered.

Late runs from Patel (10) and Tahir Razzaq (3) helped Parks to 276 for eight.

Harvinder Singh caused the most problems for the hosts, taking three for 60.

Jack Cossey claimed four wickets and scored 44 runs to lead Woodford Green Seconds to a five-wicket success over Benfleet Seconds.

The visitors were unable to build on an encouraging start from openers Samuel Coelho (68) and Andy Jarrett (38).

Cossey then got stuck into the Benfleet attack, taking four for 48 to help remove the visitors for 215.

Barry Leigh (46) and Hamaad Sayyed (42) opened well for Green before Cossey (44) and Sahir Akbar (42) finished the job