Matthew Smith’s half-century proved vital as Wanstead and Snaresbrook Seconds picked up a three-wicket win at home to Chelmsford Seconds

Matthew Smith’s half-century proved vital as Wanstead and Snaresbrook Seconds picked up a three-wicket win at home to Chelmsford Seconds.

The hosts won the toss and inserted their visitors. The first wicket fell with just 11 runs on the board as Andre Louw (one for 23) caught and bowled opener Adil Dewan (8).

And the wickets continued to fall with regularity, with 21 runs put up as wickets two, three and four fell.

All out for 174, Wanstead made a confident start before losing a trio of wickets to find themselves on 65 for three.

However, assured batting from the middle order saw Smith (53) lead the way to victory with Jack Lord (19) and Nabil Aziz (13) chipping in en route to a winning total of 177 for seven.

Alex Agedah’s knock of 77 was not enough to prevent Chingford Seconds from defeat as they missed out by two wickets at home to Southend-on-Sea EMT Seconds.

Put into bat, Chingford’s openers were both removed cheaply and it was not until Agedah – batting at five – came to the crease that the home side put on some runs of note.

Paul Warren added 47 to help nudge Chingford up to a total of 209 for seven which always looked on the light side.

And so it proved as Southend hit 212 for eight in reply to secured victory after 41.2 overs.

James Hill (two for 30) and Richard Offord (two for 39) had the most joy with the ball but neither man could prevent defeat.

South Woodford Seconds are in the relegation zone after a nine-wicket demolition at the hands of Upminster Seconds.

Hosts South Woodford won the toss and elected to open the batting. But their decision backfired when openers Jamie Carroll (2) and Aditya Nair (1) were soon removed.

Omer Qureshi (56) and S Jaspal (40) offered some relief but the Upminster bowlers tore through the remainder of the South Woodford line-up to dismiss the away side for 191.

And it took the loss of just one wicket for Upminster to wrap up 20 points as they raced to 195 inside 29 overs.

Second XI Division One

Abdul Nasir’s five-for proved in vain as Loughton Seconds were thrashed by 127 runs at home to Hutton Seconds.

Jaiman Patel smashed 136 for Hutton, who had been inserted after losing the toss, but only meagre contributions from the middle order followed.

Nasir (five for 35) was the main reason for Hutton’s struggles with the bat but Patel had already done the damage by that stage and inspired his side to a reasonable total of 242 all out.

In reply, Loughton simply never got going and the endeavours of openers Kieran Scarlioli (5) and Fahad Anwar (20) provided an indicator of what was to come.

Niketh Shetty top-scored with an unbeaten 30 whilst Asim Aslam (20) was the only other batsman to post double figures as the hosts were skittled out for 115.

Nine-man Fives and Heronians Seconds put on an admirable performance but were beaten by 35 runs at Hornchurch Seconds.

The hosts won the toss and opted to make first use of the wicket, posting a total of 239 all out. Hammad Baber was the wicket-taker-in-chief for Fives, snaring four for 46.

But Fives could not match their hosts with the bat, despite their best efforts.

Neil Brathwaite (88) and James McKay (33) made starts which provided cause for optimism. However, that hope was extinguished as the middle order failed to fire and Fives were all out for 204.

Buckhurst Hill Seconds picked up a narrow ten-run win at home to Hainault and Clayhall Seconds.

Having put on 231 for six, Buckhurst Hill successfully restricted their visitors to 221 to clinch 20 points.

Second XI Division Two

West Essex Seconds’ woeful batting display saw them fall to a comprehensive eight-wicket defeat at home to Harlow Town Seconds.

Put into bat, West Essex made a bad start and never recovered. Farhad Saleem (3) and Waqas Butt (1) both headed back to the pavilion early on and that simply set the tone for the rest of the innings.

Zain Saleem was the top scorer with an unremarkable 16 and only four members of the side even mustered double figures before succumbing for 82.

Harlow had to trouble marching to 84 for two so seal the win.

Second XI Division Three

Oakfield Parkonians Seconds had a Paresh Kalley half-century to thank for their six-wicket win at Epping Seconds.

Epping were poor with the bat after being handed first use of the wicket and Leo Dolan (35) was comfortably top scorer for the home side.

All out for 104 within 30 overs, Epping were left knowing they would need early wickets to stand any chance of victory.

And they got them; openers Shane Vamadevan (17) and Haaris Shah (13) both gone early doors. However, that was as good as it got and Parks got home with a total of 105 for six thanks to Kalley (56 not out).

Woodford Green Seconds made heavy weather of ensuring a two-wicket win at Old Brentwoods Seconds; Sayaad Hussain top scoring.

The home side stood no chance against the bowling of Tomas Williams (five for 28) and Chirag Pithia (four for 20) and were all out for a miserable 98.

That should have paved the way for a routine Woodford win but they staggered across the line with a total of 101 for eight.