Third XI Premier Division

Wanstead and Snaresbrook Thirds’ promotion hopes suffered a significant blow as they went down by four runs at Brentwood Thirds.

Defeat leaves Wanstead 21 points shy of Harlow in second with two games to play.

Brentwood, inserted, recovered from a sluggish start with the bat to post 151 all out thanks to a big knock of 68 from Stephan Heywood at four.

They had been restricted early on by the bowling of Corrie Brand (two for 12) and Ben Phillips (two for 28), though, and were still unable to post an imposing total from 51.1 overs.

But Wanstead suffered their own problems at the crease and were all out for just 147. That despite knocks of 41 apiece from Karan Singh and Steven Ramdial.

Woodford Wells Thirds are still, just about, in the promotion shake-up following a three-wicket defeat at Upminster.

Fine bowling from Karim Govani (four for 40) and Ollie Heazel (two for 11) helped remove Wells for just 92.

Facing an uphill struggle the visitors could not prevent Upminster from making it to 93 with three wickets in hand.

Third XI Division One

Buckhurst Hill Thirds took a sizeable step towards safety with a nervy 13-run away success against Harlow Thirds.

Put into bat first, Buckhurst made the most of their opportunity and piled on the runs to put up an imposing score of 242 all out; Daniel Parkinson top scoring with an unbeaten knock of 100.

The top of the order supplied the bulk of the runs, with Daniel Platt (34) and Qaiser Khan (33) chipping in to give Buckhurst a good total to defend.

And they did exactly that, John Chipperfield Jnr. (six for 67) starring with the ball to aid in the removal of Harlow for 229 after 50.4 overs.

Loughton Thirds kept their slim promotion hopes alive with a comprehensive nine-wicket win at Hornchurch Thirds thanks to two unbeaten tons.

Despite picking up 20 points, Loughton remain third, 39 points behind South Woodford in second place with two matches left to play.

Hornchurch batted first after losing the toss and it took 99 from Mitchell Gilbert to nudge their total up to 218 for eight before they declared after 52 overs.

Jonathan Almond (three for 30) and Ali Pasha (three for 42) helped keep the home side’s total low.

A pair of centuries from Shoaib Shah (103 not out) and Almond (100 not out) then inspired the visitors to a comfortable win, reaching 221 for one after just 26.5 overs.

Propping up the table with two games remaining, the situation looks even bleaker for Chingford Thirds after they were beaten by 39 runs at South Woodford Thirds.

Chingford, who have just two wins all season, are 49 points from safety and will need an almighty change in fortune to avoid falling through the trapdoor into Division Two.

After losing both openers cheaply, an unbeaten 157 from South Woodford’s Farhan Salahudeen went a long way towards steadying the home side’s innings.

Supported by an additional 44 from Arshad Rehman and 23 from Shahab Umer, Woodford closed having put up an imposing 260 for four for 35.5 overs.

Mehul Parmar (five for 69) then accounted for the Chingford top order with a fine 13-over spell.

There was some resistance further down the order in the shape of Mustafa Chawla (53) and Jack Bassett (47) but that was as good as it got for Chingford, who were removed for 221 after 43 overs.

Wanstead and Snaresbrook Fourths remain top of the pile despite being held to a disappointing draw at home to Chelmsford Fourths.

Still five points clear of second-placed South Woodford and 44 ahead of Loughton in third, Wanstead put up 209 for nine before declaring.

Sunil Dwivedi (47), Toqeer Ahmad (46) and David Sacree (45) led the way for the home side, who looked to have put up a total big enough to wrap up victory.

That proved not to be the case, though, and Chelmsford batted resiliently to hold out for a share of the spoils, finishing on 1774 for four; Muhammad Atif with Wanstead’s best figures of two for 48.

Third XI Division Two

Fives and Heronians Thirds are still 11 points from safety are losing by six wickets at Gidea Park & Romford Seconds.

Removed for 127 after being inserted, Fives could not defend that lowly total and Gidea Park got home with 131 for four after 32 overs.

Third XI Division Three

Woodford Green leapfrogged Walthamstow into the second automatic promotion place with a 134-run thrashing of Loughton Fourths.

That win means Woodford now hold a slender four-point advantage over Walthamstow with two games to go. They trail leaders Wanstead and Snaresbrook by 41 points, however.

Batting first after being inserted, Woodford Green made an unspectacular started but picked up significantly once Mitul Bhatt got to the crease and put on 63, including ten fours.

Contributions from Anthony Stewart (29), Matt Trim (28) and Chris Masters (28 not out), helped push Woodford Green up to 234 for eight before they declared.

Tight bowling from Ashok Patel (three for 28), Chirag Trivedi (two for one) and Thomas Kelsey (two for 20) then saw Loughton removed for just 100 runs after 27.2 overs.

Mark Christy (30) and Bilaal Anwar (28) were the only batsmen to have any joy with the bat but their stints at the crease were too short-lived to affect the outcome.

West Essex Seconds remain outsiders in a promotion battle which looks set to go to the wire even after losing by 37 runs against Gidea Park & Romford Seconds.

Having dismissed their visitors for 157, West Essex were well below-par as they finished on 120, comfortably short of taking maximum points.