Chingford 280-9(dec)
Saffron Walden 89-3
(Premier League)

CHINGFORD'S brilliant start to Premier League life continued with a third straight draw, although once again they were denied victory because of the rain.

Home skipper Sam Kirnon won the toss and elected to bat. He may have had second thoughts, though, after openers Jamie Hill (6) and Ben MacGregor (4) were quickly removed by Josh Coote.

The hosts were then left rocking on 19-4 after McPherson Meade and Sam Kirnon were both sent packing without scoring.

Paul Shawyer and Robert Whitfield steadied the ship with a brilliant partnership of 199, that ended when the former was run out for 77.

Whitfield went 12 runs later for a terrific 104 to leave Chingford at 230-6.

Denver Carolous (19), Alfie Taylor (11) and Matthew O'Sullivan (6) all followed, before Ryan Harris and Len Daniels brought a close to the innings after 66 overs, with undefeated scores of 15 and one respectively.

Coote (3-46) and Ryan Sparrow (3-61) were the pick of the Walden attack, while Tom Westley and Adrian Macoubrey also secured one wicket each. Tom Westley and Ray Mordini put on 38 runs for the first wicket, before the latter was caught by Taylor for nine.

Westley and Craig George then struck a partnership of 25, before the former was caught and bowled by Harris on 27. George fell for 20 after being caught by Paul Shawyer off MacGregor, as the visitors slumped to 77-3.

But with Joe Holland and Jack Ford at the crease with undefeated knocks of 13 and eight, the heavens opened to bring a premature end to the game after 25 overs.

Frustrated Chingford skipper Sam Kirnon said: "Having put ourselves in a great position to win, it is disappointing that for the second time the rain prevented us from doing so."