It proved to be a disappointing weekend for Wanstead and Snaresbrook Cricket Club as they were condemned to back-to-back defeats in both the Essex League and Dukes Essex T20 competition.

Having picked up their first league win over Billericay last week, Wanstead were unable to repeat the feat away to Shenfield, who claimed a two wicket victory after three of their batters scored over 30 runs.

After Arfan Akram retired, Wanstead’s tough start continued when Hassan Chowdhury was dismissed for a duck, before Kishen Velani was bowled out for 13, leaving Wanstead at 17-2.

Fortunately, Aron Nijar helped to revive Wanstead’s chances as he notched a half century, while Jack Lord scored 33 not out, as a disappointing innings saw the away side bowled out for 136.

Nijar then took 5-45 but in the end, it wasn’t enough as Shenfield’s Mitchell Edwards, Jack Kliber and Ollie Ekers all scored over 30 to help the home side secure a two wicket victory.

Wanstead’s fortunes then went from bad to worse in the Dukes Essex T20 competition as they were condemned to a 35 run defeat away to Billericay on Monday.

Kishen Velani was in good form with the ball, as he took an excellent 4-15 as Billericay reached a score of 95-9 inside 20 overs, however, Wanstead’s batting would come up short once again, as just two of their players notched double figures as they were dismissed for just 60 runs.

Elsewhere, Chingford were unable to make it three wins from three, as they were held by Brentwood away from home.

Having won the toss, Chingford batted first and captain Alfie Taylor led from the front with 55, while Andrew MacGregor also scored well, notching 47 from 85 balls, as the visitors were bowled out for 194.

However, Brentwood reached 142-8 largely thanks to Ben Allison’s score of 42, ensuring they picked up a share of the spoils.

Chingford would enjoy better fortunes in the T20 competition, though, as they claimed a nine wicket victory away to Orsett & Thurrock.

With a target of 139-3 to beat, Chingford made light work, as a score of 63 not out from Alfie Taylor and 45 not out from Alex Agedah helped the away side reach 140-1, ensuring they claimed a nine wicket win.

Ilford made it back-to-back wins in the Essex League as they convincingly beat Hadleigh & Thundersley away from home by nine wickets.

Syed Ashar Ahmed Zaidi (3-53), Theeban Tavarasa (3-28) and in particular Arshad Haroon (3-12) were all in good form with the ball, as they played a key role in dismissing Hadleigh for 139 in 53.5 overs.

In the end, Ilford made light work of the target set, with a 131 run opening partnership between Harsh Kumar and Akash Raji playing a key role, as the away side went on to reach 141-1 in 35.3 overs, to seal a dominant nine wicket win.

However, their Twenty 20 team wouldn’t enjoy such good fortunes on bank holiday Monday, as they were beaten by three wickets by Buckhurst Hill, largely thanks to Russell Beckett’s 39 not out.

In the Essex League division one, there were draws for Buckhurst Hill and Woodford Wells against Colchester and East Essex as well as Gidea Park & Romford, while there were better fortunes for South Woodford in division two, who claimed a five wicket away win over Harlow.

Woodford won the toss and elected to field first, a decision which proved to be fruitful when both Harry Shirt and Bradley Cooper claimed three wickets apiece as they helped to dismiss Harlow for 140.

Cooper would then notch 27 with the bat, before a late flourish from Harry Neicho (55 not out) and Michael Harris (32 not out) helped Woodford reach 141-5 inside 32.3 overs, ensuring they picked up a comfortable five wicket victory.

Meanwhile, a century from Vibhor Yadav propelled Loughton to a comfortable 82 run win away to Leigh on Sea.

Batting first, Yadhav’s score of 101 not out combined with Luke Parker’s score of 88 helped Loughton reach 248-4 inside 48 overs, putting them in a commanding position when it was their turn to field.

In the end, Loughton never looked in danger of letting their lead slip, as Bilal Butt took an excellent 4-13 and Andrew Bridges notched 3-48, as Leigh on Sea were dismissed for 166 inside 45.5 overs, securing the visitors an 82 run win.

An unbeaten 83 from Horndon on Hill’s Jack Walsh was enough to condemn Five and Heronians to back to back defeats in the league.

Batting first, Fives declared at 225-6 after significant contributions from Billy Amas (64), Usman Jan (56 not out) and Lakshan Rodrigo (48) but in the end it wasn’t enough, as Horndon chased down that score with relative ease.

Walsh’s 83 and skipper Jeff West’s 65 not out proved to be decisive as the away side reached 226-3 within 42.3 overs, handing Horndon a relatively straight forward seven wicket win.

Moving into division three, bowlers George Evans and Ihsan Ahmed were in good form with the ball, as they helped Walthamstow seal a 53 run victory over Stanford Le Hope.

Having been dismissed for 153 despite Ben Smith’s half century, Walthamstow were up against it, but up stepped Evans and Ahmed, who notched four wickets apiece, as they played a significant role in bowling out Stanford for just 100.

Meanwhile, Epping made relatively light work of beating West Essex as they successful chased down a target of 173 inside 33.3 overs.

Having lost the toss, Epping fielded first but good work from Manan Patel (4-45), Javed Iqbal (3-53) and Aswad Mohammed (3-27) helped to dismiss West Essex for 173.

After a slow start, Mohammed then entered the crease and notched 68 from 82 balls, which was further supplemented by Shetu Patel’s 41 not out, as Epping racked up 177-4, handing them a four wicket win.

However, Woodford Green were unable to repeat last week’s emphatic win over Basildon and Pitsea, as they were comfortably beaten by Westcliff on Sea away from home.

In the end, centuries from Peter Barnes (103) and Jonathan Pratt (101 not out) proved to be decisive for Westcliff, as they reached 286-3 inside their allotted 50 overs, a score which would hand them a comfortable win, as Woodford Wells were dismissed for 172 after a disappointing innings with the bat.