Third XI Premier Division

Robert Smith’s five-for enabled Woodford Wells Thirds to pick up a one-run win at Wanstead and Snaresbrook Thirds.

Batting first, Woodford got off to an inauspicious start as Mark Webb (0), Philip Ashwell (1) and James Langrish-Smith (9) were all removed cheaply.

Corrie Brand (four for 52) was proving the thorn in Wells’ side but Chris Hamilton (49) and Albert Morgan (90) repelled plenty sent down the track and steered the visitors to 201 all out.

The Wanstead reply centred around 99 from Bilal Patel at number three. Dev Patel contributed a further 33 but it was Smith’s five for 59 which ensured the win as the hosts were removed for 200.

Buckhurst Hills Thirds were punished for their batting display as they lost by just 17 runs at home to Hutton Thirds.

Ash Mohammed (three for 30) and David Roberts (three for 36) had already done a good job with the ball, restricting the visitors to 160 all out yet Buckhurst could not force home their advantage.

And with 32 from David Rolfe making him the home side’s top scorer, the writing was on the wall as Hill tumble to 143 all out in 42 overs.

Third XI Division One

Wanstead and Snaresbrook Fourths remain top of the pile after picking up a routine four-wicket win at South Woodford Thirds.

Put into bat, South Woodford never really built the momentum required to put up an imposing total. Opener Ali Khan (24) was accounted for early and despite 33 by Wesley Hutchins in the middle of the order, the hosts could only muster 177 all out.

In reply, Toqeer Ahmad (40) and Raja Usman (61) guided Wanstead to the win with four wickets in hand, helping get the job done in 33.5 overs.

Bradley Ormsby’s 97 was not enough to help Loughton Thirds to victory as they were held to a draw by Ilford Thirds.

Ormsby’s total was enhanced by Hammad Malik (44) and Sam Gooding (26) and the hosts elected to declare on 264 for eight after 42 overs.

But the decision proved of little help as Ilford stubbornly held onto their remaining two wickets in making 216 for eight.

Saleem Kiani (54) top scored for the away side.

Ten-man Chingford Thirds were left frustrated as Southend-on-Sea & EMT Fourths held out for a draw.

Despite being down a man Chingford showed few signs of being handicapped and set about putting up 200 for four, with Randheer Ponnamkunnath (66) and Ameetab Ashok (51) starring.

And even though they had their full complement, Southend were less-than-impressive with the bat and could only stumble to 131 for eight.

Nishant Varshney finished with the best figures, closing on two for 13.

Third XI Division Two

Fives and Heronians Thirds were left frustrated after being held to a draw by ten-man Hornchurch Fourths.

Putting up 203 for nine, Hornchurch were then unable to bowl out Fives, who in turn fell just shy of the required score for victory, closing on 200 for nine.

Third XI Division Three

Loughton Fourths made light work of dispatching West Essex Thirds as Dominic Newlyn’s four for 24 capped a seven-wicket success.

Newlyn played a key figure in restricting the away side to 145 for nine, with tail-enders Mustafa Kamal (28) and Colin Baxter (25) making the biggest scores.

And Loughton made light work of chasing down that total as Neal Jani (72) and Mark Redpath (44) paired up to help the hosts to 147 for the loss of just three wickets.

Farzan Shabir snared two for 13 but was not helped by the rest of the West Essex attack.

It was a miserable afternoon for South Woodford Fourths, who were crushed by 115 runs at Walthamstow Fourths.

Invited to bat first, Walthamstow overcame a false start to reach 235 before declaring. Mukhtair Jan (54) top scored and there was another important half-century from Stuart Bundock (53).

South Woodford were dismal in reply and could only make 120 before being skittled out in 32.2 overs; Bikram Singh (47) making the only score of note.

Woodford Green Thirds were frustrated as they could only draw at Hutton Fourths due to a slow run-rate.

William Rowlands took four wickets for Woodford Green but they came at a cost of 82 runs. And 60 from Richard Barnes helped the hosts make it to 221 for eight.

The Woodford reply was not likely to trouble their hosts, although Thomas Kelsey made 61 in a total of 172 for six.