Third XI Premier Division

Wanstead and Snaresbrook Thirds are outside of the automatic promotion places after they were held to a frustrating draw at Hainault and Clayhall Thirds.

Put into bat after losing the toss, Wanstead declared after putting up an imposing total of 269 for eight.

But the home side held firm and stubbornly batted their way to 180 for eight before time ran out.

Buckhurst Hill Thirds are bottom of the league after a 42-run defeat Chelmsford, that despite Daniel Parkinson’s unbeaten knock of 85.

Hill put their hosts into bat after winning the toss and Vikrant Venkatesan’s two four 15, along with two for 25 from Phil Mitchell, helped restrict Chelmsford to 206 for eight before they declared.

Chasing what appeared an attainable score, Buckhurst made a sloppy start and lost Ash Mohammed (15) and David Roberts (8) early on.

Parkinson’s big score should have provided a catalyst for the away side but only two other batsmen made double figures from that point and Buckhurst Hill were removed for 164 after 47.1 overs.

Woodford Wells Thirds were held to a frustrating draw at Brentwood Thirds which did little to aid their promotion push.

Currently fourth and outside of the top two automatic promotion spots by 15 points, Woodford opened the batting and posted a good total of 27 from 52 overs.

But they could not remove a durable Brentwood side who lost eight wickets and hit 200 in reply before time ran out in the 46th over to secure a share of the spoils for the hosts.

Third XI Division One

South Woodford Thirds picked up a potentially decisive eight-wicket win at home to promotion rivals Loughton Thirds.

Hosts Woodford won the toss and inserted their visitors. The breakthrough came early with Shoaib Shah (11) run out and Mansoor Ahmad (0) gone to Farhan Salahudeen (four for 65).

Ben Notley-Griffiths (23) stuck around a little longer but it was not until the union of Hammad Malik (33) and Ali Pasha (42) in the middle order that Loughton could build towards their eventual total of 167 all out.

That score was always on the short side and second-placed Woodford attacked with relish as Ali Khan piled on the runs to make an unbeaten 103.

Shahab Umer chipped in with 32, guiding the hosts to 168 for two and a 29-point lead over Loughton in third.

Wanstead and Snaresbrook Fourths took another step towards the title by securing a three-wicket home success over Ilford Thirds but they made heavy weather of what should have been a routine victory.

There were no complaints with the bowling attack, who removed the away side for just 98.

Abubakar Janjua (four for 33) and Rahib Hoque (three for 15) starred for Wanstead before the win was wrapped up by Toqeer Ahmad (33) and Shivum Pitrola (24) with three wickets in hand.

Third XI Division Two Nine-man

Fives and Heronians Thirds could not upset the odds and were beaten by seven wickets at Harlow Town Thirds.

Inserted after losing the toss, Fives saw Charlton Allen (4) removed early and although Steve Adcock (40) put up a decent score, regular run-scorers were thin on the ground.

Andre Byfield (36) and Nick Canacott (35) batted stubbornly at the tail but could only delay the inevitable as Fives were removed for 158 after 49.5 overs.

Third XI Division Three

South Woodford Fourths are still not safe from the threat of relegation after picking up a draw at Hutton Fourths.

The home side posted 299 for six, with Mark Carvell (three for 55) returning the best bowling figures for Woodford.

Bikram Singh (46) led the South Woodford response but after 45 overs and with 223 on the board, the away side ran out of time with three wickets in hand.

Bilaal Anwar’s knock of 87 inspired Loughton Fourths to a potentially pivotal 43-run win at Westcliff-On-Sea Thirds in their battle against the drop.

Currently third-bottom, Loughton now have an 18-point buffer on West Essex, who occupy the first of the two relegation places.

Neal Jani (29) and Avnish Jani (37) made a reasonable start with the bat before Anwar took things up a notch with a fine display.

Lynn Ninan added 20 before Loughton closed on 224 for nine declared.

Mohammed Ali’s stunning spell with the ball then carried Loughton to victory, Ali accounting for eight wickets as Westcliff were removed for just 181.