Ilford Catholic lost their second game of the season against newly promoted Stansted by five wickets in Division One.

With the ball seaming and swinging, Bob Marsh and Vince Mulholland played the opening bowlers fairly well reaching 25 from nine overs before Marsh was caught off his gloves trying to pull a rising delivery.

Mulholland fell soon to another swinging delivery to bring Abbas Saleem and Ryan Naylor to the crease. They added a further 28 to bring the total to 59 before Saleem was bowled by a peach of a delivery from Noori.

Abdul Wahab joined Naylor and they briefly took the initiative with some quick scoring before Naylor was caught in the deep. The Catholic innings then fell apart as they lost five wickets for just 23 runs to leave them at 103 for nine.

With 12 overs still remaining Ravi Ramanuja and Nomi Qureshi dug in on what was now becoming a more friendly wicket. They both played with patience and good shot selections to make full use of the overs and put on 51 for the final wicket to bring the total to 154 for nine.

Ramanuja finished on 26 not out and Qureshi 22 not out. The pick of the Stansted bowlers was Noori with an impressive spell of four for 29.

Catholic's got off to good start in the field with Mulholland and Ramanuja taking a wicket each and leave the hosts on 20 for two off the first 11 overs. The Kirby brothers added a solid 26 for the third wicket before Ramanuja struck again.

Chambers then came to the crease and immediately went on the offensive with some expansive shots. He and Kirby brought the score to 89 before Kirby was caught at slip off Saleem. Chambers continued to be positive as he and Burgoine added 59 for the fifth wicket with Burgoine contributing just four.

The visitors managed to build some pressure as the overs started to run out but Chambers carried his bat to finish on a match winning 70 not out and deliver a victory with two overs to spare. Ravi Ramanuja finished with two for 32.

Ilford Catholics Seconds started their league season with a comfortable nine-wicket victory over Birchanger on Saturday.

After agreeing to bat Birchanger skipper White was swiftly dismissed by Mukhitar Singh in the second over. Left arm off spinner Singh bowled with excellent control.

Thiru supported him well bowling six overs for eight runs picking a wicket up along the way. Wickets continued to fall and Catholics kept the pressure on with Senthu picking up two wickets in two overs as Birchanger collapsing to 67 all out.

In reply, Martin Riches opened with Jana Basker who made a quick fire 19 before departing with the score on 27. Madhavan Bakthavatchalam then joined Riches and easily reached the target without further alarm, putting on an unbroken 40 stand with Riches hitting a four to finish the game off. Riches ended with 25 not out and Bakthavatchalam unbeaten on 13.

Ilford Cathlolics Thirds lost to Old Fallopians after being taken to task by an outstanding innings of 192 by Atiq Taluker.

Old Fallopians batted first and some good bowling on a sticky wicket saw Fallopinas reduced to 18 for three. However Atiq Talukder then turned the game on its head with an outstanding individual knock of 192 before being brilliantly caught by 13 year old Rohit Rajasegaran of the bowling of Steve Rumbold.

Fallopians amassed 280 for five from their 40 overs.

A great opening partnership from debutant Sandeep and Louis Morgan saw the Catholics pass 60 with ease before the latter was unluckily bowled by a low boucing delivery.

A mini collapse in the middle saw the Catholics reduced to 72 for five before skipper Dave Revell came in and steadied the innings.

Sandeep's contribution of 69 and Revell's unbeaten 31 saw a respectable total of 141 for seven in reply. Tim Castle picked up three for nine for the Fallopians.

The Sunday team lost to Old Sectionians by 73 runs.

Ilford took the decision to let the opposition bat and opened the bowling with Subrumani and Rajaram who bowled very econonically.

Rohit Rajasegaran's leg cutters dismissed the opener and Sharjeel Rehman and Smaran Thirunagari also took their first wickets for the club. After 20 overs Old Sectonians were 51 for three but their middle order upped the run rate and posted 188 for seven. The pick of the bowlers was Rohit Rajasegaran who picked up two for 32.

In reply they were reduced to 20 for four, with Martin Riches dismissed for ten. However vice-captain Anujan Thiru was joined by Subrumani at six, and they both batted very sensibly to bring some respectability to the score, putting on 40 runs with Anujan making a patient 11. Subrumani posted 67, but was bowled off the last ball of the innings as Catholics fell short of the target.