Second XI Premier Division

Woodford Wells Seconds were in imperious form – thanks to the pairing of Alex Sharp and Christopher Briggs – as they battered Upminster by ten wickets.

Farhad Uddin (four for 65) tore into the Upminster line-up and although Junaid Sarwar (76) and Nicky Ison (40) put on good scores it was not enough.

Closing on 180 for four, the partnership of openers Sharp (92) and Briggs (85) made sure Wells reached the necessary 182 with minimal fuss and without the loss of a single wicket.

A fine late knock from Jayden Rising helped Wanstead and Snaresbrook Seconds to a 52-run victory over Shenfield Seconds.

Inserted, Wanstead made a less-than-encouraging start and found themselves struggling at 31 for two at one stage. Howard, Mohammed Ali Syed Zaidi (36) and Steven Ramdial (36) put some runs together.

Chris Chapman (three for 72) was a nuisance for Shenfield but the wicket of Rising (45) eluded him and Wanstead finished by posting 221 all out.

Haroon Awan starred with the ball for Wanstead, taking four for 11 as the hosts dismissed their guests for 169.

Strong tail-end resistance from Oliver Ives (32 not out) was not enough as Awan mopped up.

A below-par batting display condemned South Woodford Seconds to a four-run loss at home to Colchester and East Essex Seconds.

Vaibhav Gadhvi (three for 33) could only do so much as Omar Ahmed (88) and Scott Williams (43) helped Colchester post a total of 192 all out.

And although they were not facing an insurmountable chase, South Woodford stumbled to 188 all out, with Trishan Sivathasan (53), Omer Qureshi (46) and Tayyib Iqbal (33) the only players to reach double figures.

Chingford Seconds’ underwhelming display with the bat cost them a shot at victory as they lost by five wickets at Brentwood Seconds.

Batting first, only three Chingford batsmen made it to double figures; Paul Shawyer (33), Mitan Patel (52) and Richard Offord (12 not out).

Paul Humphries had particular joy with the ball, finishing with figures of four for 18, whilst Harri Jones took three for 42.

There was no such luck for Chingford in reply as their bowlers failed to get to grips with a Brentwood attack which made it to 134 for five; Matthew Bell (82) top scoring.

Second XI Division One

Vidhyarthi Kantumuchbu made 98 but was unable to steer Loughton Seconds to victory as they were held to a draw at Buckhurst Hill Seconds.

Kantumuchbu’s innings made up for a poor knock by opening partner Rohail Anwar (2) but the runs were not flowing freely further down the order with only Ashfaq Parvez (32) building on that total.

Sam Sullivan claimed four for 48 as Loughton were removed for 195.

But the home side were unable to match that total after a sluggish start. Alan Dantes weighed in with an unbeaten 61 and Mark Quant was 25 not out but Buckhurst Hill could only reach 153 for eight after 50 overs, forcing the draw.

Ninety-three from Neil Braithaite was not enough for Fives and Heronians Seconds, who came up short to lose by two wickets at home to Billericay Seconds.

Put into bat, Fives had high hopes as Braithwaite worked his way to 93 but partnerships were short-lived and although Graham Neary (25) and Michael Batt (45) stuck around for a while, the hosts only made it to 197 all out.

Thanks chiefly to Ross Summers (three for 23), Billericay were far from slick in their response but still managed to reach 200 with two wickets in hand; Depal Patel (68) leading the reply.

Second XI Division Two

West Essex Seconds came up infuriatingly short in their run chase, losing out by just two at Wickford Seconds.

Fahad Akthar (four for 41) and Murad Ali (two for 19) never allowed the home side to settle at the crease. And although Lee Stace put on 89, Wickford were all out for 152 to leave West Essex in a strong position.

But they were unable to complete the job, even after Miftha Islam opened with 65. Zain Saleem (21) and Sohaib Jan (28 not out) were the only other batsmen to make double figures and West Essex capitulated for 150.

Second XI Division Three

Epping Seconds could not take advantage of Anil Raynold’s four for 33 and were held in a stalemate by Basildon and Pitsea Seconds.

Muhammad Ali (86) fought his way to a big score but found limited support around him as Basildon closed on 216 for nine, despite Raynold’s return with the ball.

And in reply, Epping were left to hold on to their wickets in closing on 128 for seven. Matthew Wilson struck 43 and Saleem Raza made it to 20 but they were lone figures in a disappointing response.

Oakfield Parkonians Seconds brushed aside Ardleigh Green Seconds, securing a six-wicket success.

Green were put into bat and made just 167 before being dismissed. Parks then lost four wickets as they made it to 170 in 41.1 overs.

Woodford Green Seconds were roundly beaten by early league leaders Horndon on the Hill Seconds, going down by 157 runs.

Opting to field first did Woodford Green little good as Horndon set about reaching a total of 246 for six before declaring.

But the reply was feeble with openers Saad Ijaz (16) and Amish Patel (24) both accounted for before they could cause any real damage.

Muahammad Zahid Khatri (19) was the only other player to reach double figures as Woodford Green were out for just 89.