BUCKHURST Hill were crowned Division Two champions after a dramatic final day of the season saw them snatch top spot from Harold Wood.

The local side were involved in a three-way scrap for the two promotion spots heading into the last game against Harold Wood.

And they produced the win required to send them up to Division One, securing back-to-back promotions after winning Division Three last season.

All-rounder Gordon Whorlow was the chief contributor with the bat, hitting 70 runs that helped Hill up to a total of 213.

However, it was Joe Slisz who will take the plaudits after his four-wicket destruction reeled Harold Wood in and kept them down to just 158 in reply.

Wanstead, meanwhile, secured second place in the Shepherd Neame Premier Division with a 77-run win over their closest rivals for the spot Chelmsford on the final day of the season.

An unbeaten century from John Chambers and four wickets from Joe Ellis-Grewal helped wrap up the victory.

Loughton had their big-hitting batsmen to thank for securing an 11-run victory over Hainault & Clayhall in a result that saw the Uplands outfit cement fourth place.

Usman Jan (127) stole the show with a blistering ton in Loughton’s total of 332. Bilal Butt then took five wickets, including three during a devastating late spell, to secure the victory.

Woodford Wells completed a clean sweep of local wins with a seven-wicket triumph over Gidea Park & Romford, ensuring they finished the year in mid-table.

James Lever (3-35) and Nathan Price (2-28) were instrumental in restricting their opponents to just 176, while Robert Marshall impressed with 62.

Meanwhile, South Woodford won promotion back into the Premier Division, and they did it in style, defeating champions Ardleigh Green to ensure they closed the campaign three points off top spot.

Richard Browne bagged three wickets as Green were bowled out for 209, but the real hero for the hosts was Nick Browne, who blasted 110 runs to confirm the win with four wickets to spare.

Fives & Heronians were comprehensively defeated by Shenfield, Nick Rotsey the standout performer with 69 runs, leaving them two spots above the drop zone.

One place below them were Chingford, who secured their Division One status with a narrow 14-run win over Westcliff.

Shaun McMurray was in scintillating form with the bat, smashing 86 runs as Chingford made 243, with Lenny Daniels (4-57) the main man with the ball.

Elsewhere, Walthamstow cantered to the Division Three title, earning promotion back into Essex cricket’s third tier at the first time of asking.

Stow brushed aside Billericay by 187 runs on the last day of the season. Woodford Green missed out on promotion by just 12 points, and they finished with a flourish, brushing aside local rivals West Essex by eight wickets, having limited their opponents to just 138.

Ongar finished eighth, while Old Parkonians were ninth. Epping were beaten by five wickets by Southend-on-Sea, Billy Holden impressing with three wickets. The Lower Bury Lane outfit also held their presentation evening after their final round of matches, with second XI opening batsman Graham Preston scooping the club’s top runscorer prize, as well as being voted his team’s player of the season.