Woodford Wells Seconds' promotion hopes suffered a blow as they loss by a wicket to Upminster Seconds

Wanstead and Snaresbrook Seconds remain on course for promotion after breezing to a seven-wicket win at home to Shenfield.

Having put their visitors into bat, Wanstead saw Jack Lord (two for 25) snare the early wicket of opener William Appleton (8) and fellow opener George Ballington (18) soon followed off the bowling of Andrew Louw (one for 33).

Shenfield did find some runs at three and four but were restricted to 203 for eight thanks largely to the bowling of Haroon Awan (three for 25).

The Wanstead reply was swift and effective as Waseem Qureshi (66) and Naail Dar (50) laid on the runs for victory after opener Ismael Dar (44) had been removed, the winning total of 207 reached only three wickets down.

Woodford Wells Seconds cannot afford too many more days like this after a one-wicket loss against Upminster Seconds left them fighting to remain involved in the promotion battle.

Currently fourth and 47 points shy of Wanstead and Snaresbrook in the final promotion berth, Wells were unable to build on a good start via Christopher Briggs (77).

Robert Phillips (32), Robert Leiper (18) and Brian Schofield (12) were the only other batsmen to even post double figures as the visitors stuttered to an underwhelming total of 200 all out.

The bowling very nearly made up for the shortfalls of the batting line-up but ultimately fell agonizingly short as Upminster got home with 201 for nine.

Schofield snared three for 26 and Briggs clinched two for 27 but the hosts eked out the win after 42.5 overs.

South Woodford Seconds remain in relegation trouble after a ten-wicket loss at Colchester and East Essex Seconds.

Second bottom and 11 points shy of safety, South Woodford were uninspiring at the crease after being inserted.

Opener Aditya Nair (22) set the tone for an innings which saw only Michael Browne (44) and William Hutchinson (40) put on scores of any real note in a poor total of 153 for seven.

Colchester did not lose a wicket as they cruised to the win in just 17.1 overs to condemn South Woodford to the familiar feeling of defeat once more.

Like their Firsts, Chingford Seconds remain in the middle of the pack after a 38-run loss at home to Brentwood Seconds.

Inserted after Chingford won the toss, Brentwood made their hosts regret the decision not to have a first go on the wicket as they raced to 263 for five. James Hill took two for 55 but could not stem the flow of Douglas Maxwell, who finished with 115 from just 128 balls for the visitors.

Hill (56) and Paul Shawyer (32) then opened in encouraging fashion for Chingford before Rezwan Rehman, at three, was removed for a duck.

But Alex Agedah hit an unbeaten 80 from just 81 deliveries – including eight four and three sixes. But Brentwood then ripped through the rest of the Chingford order with minimal fuss to reduce their hosts to 225, sealing the win.

Second XI Division One

Buckhurst Hill Seconds underlined their title credentials by picking up a six-wicket win at Loughton Seconds in a low-scoring affair.

Loughton won the toss and elected to make first use of the wicket but it was a decision they would live to regret after being removed for a paltry 97.

Only Tom Turner (28) had any joy with the bat and the home side were all out after just 33.4 overs.

That was thanks largely to Shahid Maan (three for 23) and Daniel Goulding (two for 24), the duo making light work of the Loughton order.

And in reply, Hill showed little mercy as they raced to a winning total of 99 for four from a mere 21.1 overs.

Carl Solomons (36) and Maan (22) top scored for the away side to clinch the points.

Previously winless Fives and Heronians Seconds picked up their first victory of the season after seeing off Billericay Seconds by 27 runs.

Despite the win Fives remain bottom of the pile and 26 points from safety despite enjoying their maiden win of the season.

Steven Doig (32) and KD Bhachu (26) led from the front for Fives, who were inserted after losing the toss, and further runs were supplied in the middle order by Huw Morgan (20) and Andre Byfield (24).

That, though not the strongest position, left Fives defending a lead of 162 for nine.

Fives duo Roger Braithwaite (three for 21) and Abbs Mirza (two for 18) found their rhythm to help skittle out the hosts for 135.

Second XI Division Two

West Essex Seconds recovered well from a wobbly start which saw them at 16 for three to secure a 67-run home win over Wickford Seconds.

With the top four putting on just 26, West Essex looked to be in real trouble and found themselves at 16 for three.

That situation hardly improved until a flurry of middle-order runs were provided by Azhar Ali (51), Waqas Butt (37) and Sohaib Jan (33).

All out for 185, West Essex then successfully defended that tally by removing the away side for 118, with Omer Hussain (three for 17) to the fore.

Second XI Division Three

Epping Seconds' wait for a win goes on after they were made to pay for a poor batting display in a five-wicket defeat at Basildon & Pitsea Seconds.

Still without a win this season, relegation seems inevitable for the side who closed on 152 for nine. Sandeep Shetty's 38 made him Epping's top scorer.

Bharat Patel (two for 40) was the only bowler to have any success against the Basildon line-up and the home side – despite losing five wickets – made sure of the win with 155.

Woodford Green Seconds will have to buck up their ideas sharply after they lost by six wickets at Horndon On The Hill Seconds.

Defeat leaves Green second bottom of the pile and 11 points from safety with six games to play.

After a bright start, which saw Yasin Mohammed make 40 and Chirag Pithia hit 26, Green fell to pieces and were only able to close on 173 for nine.

Indeed, after both openers had been accounted for only three batsmen reached double figures with Shyam Jobanputra (19) faring the best of that trio.

Green were powerless to resist Horndon in reply and the home side wrapped up the points by hitting 177 for four.

Pithia helped himself to two wickets but his endeavours were not enough to prevent another defeat.

A six-wicket win was enough for Oakfield Parkonians Seconds to strengthen their grip on top spot, with Ardleigh Green Seconds coming up short.

Visiting Ardleigh put up a meagre 144 all out for Parks to chase and the second-placed side attacked their target with relish, reaching 145 with six wickets still in hand.