Wanstead and Snaresbrook Thirds suffered a blow in their title chase as they lost at Hutton Thirds

Wanstead and Snaresbrook Thirds suffered a blow in their title chase as they lost by ten runs at Hutton Thirds.

Still second despite the loss, Wanstead restricted their hosts to 224 all out with Faheem Aziz (three for 41) impressing.

But after Corrie Brand (42) and Waseem Qureshi (16) made an encouraging start to their reply, Wanstead staggered to within 11 runs of victory before they were finally dismissed for 214; the efforts of Aziz (37), Aryan Gupta (36) and Jayden Rising (34) in vain.

Buckhurst Hill Thirds were narrowly beaten by two wickets at home to Hainault & Clayhall Thirds but remain bottom of the pile.

Hard luck stories will not do at this stage and after being removed for just 150 after 36.1 overs, Hill appeared to have given themselves a real chance before Hainault just won through.

Daniel Parkinson (31) led the way with the bat for Buckhurst, who won the toss, but the middle order and tail end made lowly contributions before they were bowled out.

In reply, Vikrant Venkatesan (three for 48) gave Buckhurst a platform from which to secure an unlikely win but they came up short as Hainault prevailed by reaching 153 with two wickets to spare.

Woodford Wells Thirds missed out on the opportunity to climb into the promotion places after a disappointing seven-wicket home defeat by Chelmsford Thirds.

Half-centuries from Dominic Hurst (51) and Iain Wilson (50 not out) were the rare highlights in an innings which lasted 40.3 overs but contained just 162 runs.

Wells could not atone for their batting display with the ball either and Chelmsford were just three down after 24.2 overs when they made it to 163, wrapping up the points without breaking sweat.

Third XI Division One

Chingford Thirds picked up a four-wicket win in their derby at Loughton Thirds, a triumph which was secured in part thanks to Paul Warren’s 69 not out.

After losing the toss, Chingford were invited to field first and were powerless to resist the batting of Loughton.

Shyam Kharva (62), Hammad Malik (52), Osman Choudhry (33 not out) and Adam Jackson (27) all batted well, contributing to a score of 241 for nine declared.

Bowler James Bridge finished with a five-for but those wickets came at the expense of 90 runs in 13 overs and an economy rate of 6.9.

The Chingford reply took some time to get going but Ameetab Ashok (37), Ankit Patodi (40) and Warren (69 not out) were pivotal in laying on the runs required for victory.

Ed Smith chipped in with 33 not out at the tail, helping Chingford to a winning total of 242 for six.

Wanstead and Snaresbrook Fourths were left frustrated after being held to a draw at home to Hornchurch Thirds.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat first, putting up an imposing total of 270 for four before deciding to declare.

Toqeer Ahmad (45) and Shoab Iqbal (62) opened well and their lead was followed by Finlay Chesney-Brown (56 not out) and David Sacree (35 not out).

But despite the fact Abubakar Janjua snared five for 53 with the ball, Hornchurch held out for a share of the spoils with 249 for eight.

South Woodford Thirds were held to a draw after putting on more than 300 in the first innings at Chelmsford Fourths.

Inserted after losing the toss, Woodford looked to have made their hosts pay for that decision as they posted 314 for four before declaring.

Ali Khan made 90 before Farhan Salahudeen (100 not out) and Shahab Umer (52) enhanced their side’s lead further.

Khan then weighed in with the ball, removing four of the Chelmsford line-up for 54 but contributions from the rest of the attack were thin on the ground and the hosts held out to draw with 222 for nine.

Third XI Division Two

Fives and Heronians Thirds were crushed by 161 runs at home to Harold Wood Thirds after a disastrous batting display.

Chasing a good total of 245 for nine declared by their guests, Fives were then dismantled for just 84, a result which leaves them 25 points clear of the relegation zone.

Third XI Division Three

Loughton Fourths batted resolutely to secure a draw which appeared unlikely earlier in their innings at home to Stanford Le Hope Thirds.

Stanford made an encouraging start with the bat after being inserted and eventually posted 223 for nine before declaring after 52 overs.

Harry Vallance took four for 40 and Lynn Ninan three for 67 but the duo were unable to prevent the away side putting up a reasonable total.

And it was a score which proved beyond the reach of Loughton, who after losing openers Kevin Sureshkumar (2) and Bilaal Anwar (7), were always in damage limitation mode.

Ninan (40) and Amardeep Gudela (28) made scores which provided rays of light in an under-par innings but Loughton ran out of time after making it to 166 for eight.

West Essex Thirds were beaten by 31 runs at home to Walthamstow Thirds, a result which does their survival prospects no good.

Farzan Shabir (three for 26) and Mustafa Kamal (two for 25) combined well to remove the away side for just 213, a score which left the hosts in pole position to seal the victory.

But they were unable to do that. Anil Clarke made an impressive 89 from number six but his fine showing was not enough to inspire victory and the hosts were all out for 182 as the rest of the batting order failed to get going.