Second XI Premier Division

Wanstead and Snaresbrook Seconds succeeded where their Firsts failed, clinching the title and promotion despite a two-wicket loss at second-placed Chelmsford.

Batting first after winning the toss, Wanstead made a sluggish start and lost openers Mohammad Ali Syed Zaidi (23) and Waseem Qureshi (4) cheaply.

Forty-two from Nikunj Velani and 20 from Matthew Smith could not inspire the rest of the order to fire, though, and the tail collapsed from 98 for six to 141 all out.

Yet with their hosts struggling on 29 for two, Wanstead looked to have built a position from which they could have clinched victory.

Instead they were forced to put any thoughts of promotion on ice as Chelmsford reached 142 with two wickets to spare.

Already relegated South Woodford Seconds fell to their tenth defeat of the season, going down by a huge 167 runs at home to Upminster.

Inserted after losing the toss, visiting Upminster survived a scare as Indika Wickramaratne (two for 29) and Saihaj Jaspal (one for 22) enjoyed early breakthroughs.

However, 106 from Louis Pickering inspired Upminster to 262 for eight declared.

The Woodford reply was pitiful. All out after 23.2 over, the ‘highlights’ of a woeful batting display included 15 apiece for Adam Overton and Adam Qureshi in a total of 95.

Woodford Wells Seconds could only draw at Colchester and East Essex Seconds with Thomas Corbyn’s knock of 79 the stand-out display.

The home side chose to make first use of the wicket after winning the toss and put on a good score thanks to Caspar Everett (108 not out) and Jack Crace (94).

Chasing 225 for two declared, Wells opened brightly via Corbyn (79) but his opening partner at the crease, Max Parry (4), did not fare so well.

However, knocks from Nicholas Sims (35) and Alexander Gilbert (49) in the middle order appeared to have put Wells on a good footing to go on and secure maximum points.

Yet the tail failed to wag and Wells were only able to secure a draw as they fell three runs short of victory, closing on 223 for seven.

Second XI Division One

Mid-table Loughton Seconds eked out a one-wicket victory at Hutton Seconds with 71 from John Mills proving decisive.

Loughton won the toss and invited their hosts to bat first, declaring on 224 for seven after 49 overs. Abdul Nasir (three for 56) returned the best figures for the visitors, who then got off to a sloppy start with the bat.

Ashfaq Parvez (4) and Fahad Anwar (1) were soon headed back to the pavilion but Loughton did buck up their ideas with the tail wagging to signal a fightback.

Mills add to good knocks by Asim Aslam (42) and Rohail Anwar (44) to boost the Loughton total and give the visitors a winning total of 228 for nine.

The misery is over for bottom-of-the-league Fives and Heronians Seconds, who slumped to an 82-run loss at home to Hornchurch Seconds.

Already relegated, Fives had managed to restrict their visitors to 193 all out with Kishen Patel (four for 44) and Steven Doig (three for 31) both returning good figures with the ball.

But time ran out on them at the crease and they could only post 111 for nine in reply.

Hammad Baber (23 not out) top scored at number nine and that statistic in itself told the story of a dismal innings which was ended after 29.2 overs.

Second XI Division Two

West Essex Seconds went down by seven wickets at Harlow Seconds.

Atif Rabbani made 32 and briefly threatened to lift an innings which had provided little cause for optimism but West Essex were all out for 163.

Harlow’s reply was quick and efficient, reaching 164 with seven wickets still in hand.

Second XI Division Three

Oakfield Parkonians Seconds secured the title after building a 25-point lead over second place with a one-wicket success against bottom side Epping.

Dilan Patel took seven for 25 to restrict Epping to just 104 all out before Parks took to the crease, stumbling to the required 105 and reaching their target with one wicket remaining.

Woodford Green Seconds join Epping in relegation after only managing a draw at home to direct relegation rivals Old Brentwoods.

A draw did Woodford Green no good all but enough to save the skin of old Brentwoods, who finished 24 points and crucially, a place above the second-bottom side.

Visiting Brentwoods declared on 253 for six and in reply, Woodford could only manage 121 for three before time ran out on their innings and ultimately, their stay in Division Three too.