Woodford Wells Thirds picked up a 49-run win at Buckhurst Hill Thirds thanks to 97 from Matt Creese

Woodford Wells Thirds picked up a 49-run win at Buckhurst Hill Thirds thanks to 97 from Matt Creese.

Batting at three, Creese dragged Wells towards a good total of 257 for eight before they declared. But he will have been left disappointed to fall just three short of a ton.

Duncan Richards (84) built on his good work before Wells removed their hosts for 208.

Christian Hall (five for 38) and George Ellis (four for 66) starred with the ball.

Wanstead and Snaresbrook Thirds are just shy of the automatic promotion places but did their hopes no harm with a two-wicket win over Shenfield Thirds.

Karan Singh (53) top-scored in a total of 176 for eight before Dev Patel’s four for 48 removed the visitors for 175.

Third XI Division One

Loughton Thirds suffered a blow in their promotion push as they were well beaten by seven wickets at home to Chelmsford Thirds.

Hosts Loughton declared on what looked like a good total of 241 for eight; Osman Choudhry (50) leading the way.

But the Chelmsford reply was swift and effective, the visitors racing to 243 for three from 37.2 overs to ensure the win.

Wanstead and Snaresbrook Fourths remain on course for another promotion for the club after beating Chingford Thirds by five wickets to hold onto top spot.

Nine-man Chingford were all out for a lowly 79 thanks to the bowling of Joel Morris-Ley, who snared four for 21.

Wanstead knocked off the runs to reach 83 for five.

South Woodford Thirds were held to a draw at home to Hornchurch Thirds.

The visitors put up 213 for nine and South Woodford replied with 201 for seven, running out of time when 13 runs from victory.

Third XI Division Two

Fives and Heronians Thirds had an afternoon to forget as they were beaten by ten wickets at home to Billericay Thirds.

Batting first after winning the toss, Fives actually made a good start at the crease. Charles Allen (44) and Uriel Duncan (22) began in steady fashion but their knocks were the highlights of the innings.

Wickets tumbled with alarming regularity and no other Fives batsmen made it to double figures as the home side were skittled out for 107.

Billericay knocked off the required runs with ease in reply, hitting 110 without loss after 17.5 overs.

Third XI Division Three

South Woodford Fourths were held to a draw by Loughton Fourths in a result which did neither of the relegation-threatened sides much good.

Visitors South Woodford batted first and put up a good total of 234 for nine before declaring.

However, Loughton clung onto their final two wickets and closed on 206 for eight, Neal Jani (62) top scoring.

Rohit Sohal (three for 37) returned the best bowling figures for South Woodford.

West Essex Thirds were unable to raise a team for their home tussle with Hutton Fourths and were docked five points as a result.

Woodford Green Thirds are perched just above the relegation zone after a 36-run defeat at Westcliff-On-Sea Thirds.

A sluggish start from hosts Westcliff-On-Sea – thanks to Chirag Trivedi’s four for 16 – gave Woodford Green hope. And the home side could only put up 151 all out in 50.4 overs.

And Woodford Green were every bit as poor in their reply, with five batsmen reaching double figures but mustering just 74 runs between them. Green were all out for 115 after 40.1 overs.