LUKE O’REILLY’S terrific five-wicket haul was the catalyst for Woodford Wells’ savage mauling of Ardleigh Green at the weekend.

The local side, who returned to the top flight of Essex cricket when they were promoted last year, were rampant against a strong Green side.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first – a decision they were immediately made to rue, as a combination of O’Reilly, Tom Kopelman and a run out by captain Will Rogers saw Green reduced to 8-4.

The carnage continued, as O’Reilly claimed three more victims, while Rory Ellison (2-19) and Kopelman polished off the rest of the order.

Wells were in a similar mire at the beginning of their innings, as they slumped to 3-3. However, while all around them lost their heads Michael Richardson (52 not out) and Dan Majeed (32 not out) kept theirs and made light work of their 86-run target.

Elsewhere, South Woodford were inches from defeat and even closer to victory as they were forced to settle for a draw against Upminster.

Bowlers Nick Browne (3-34), Garry Neicho (2-35) and Harry Shirt (2-31) shared the majority of the wickets as the home side restricted the visitors to 258.

The chase began well for Woodford with Mario Dev Johannes Jayasuriya (61) taking charge. However, the victory chase soon became a rescue mission as wickets fell, and it was left to Neicho and Browne to withstand a late barrage to save the game.

Wanstead endured a difficult afternoon as they were beaten by Hainault & Clayhall, despite a fluent half century from opener Andrew Joslin.

In Division One, Chingford enjoyed an impressive win at home over Wickford.

Ben MacGregor ripped through the visitors’ top batsmen, before skipper Sam Kirnon took charge with the bat, making an unbeaten 86, while Robert Whitfield also made fifty in what was a thoroughly professional performance.

Meanwhile, Fives couldn’t find the all-important tenth wicket as Ilford snuck past the finishing line, despite the best efforts of Gary Edwards (96 not out).

There was better news for Loughton, as Rizwan Qureshi’s five wickets set up victory before the batsmen finished off the job.

In Division Two, Walthamstow succumbed to Hadleigh & Thundersley by 95 runs, while Harlow were well-beaten by Shenfield.

Raymond Parkinson’s excellent hundred was the only highlight for Buckhurst Hill as they fell just 21 runs short of victory against Leigh.

In arguably the game of the weekend, Epping hunted down local rivals Old Parkonians’ daunting score of 282 thanks to a sterling batting display.

Old Parks’ Paul Robbins’ sensational knock of 144 set the tone for the day, but the visitors set about the chase with gusto.

Imran Yousef (58) and Mohammed Kayni (32) got things off to a strong start, and that was consolidated by an eye-catching innings of 69 from Pasha Ali, while Alex Merritt (45 not out) and Dan Twitchett (18 not out) guided Epping home.

Elsewhere, West Essex were blown off the field by Old Brentwoods, Ongar battled to a draw with Belhus, and Woodford Green knocked over Southend-on-Sea after a brilliant century from Javeed Sayeed.