A HIGHLY anticipated clash between defending champions Wanstead and current league leaders Brentwood was ruined by the weather.

The home side got off a brilliant start after posting an impressive 286-7, built around opener Jonathan Walford's contribution of 152 while Aaron West chipped in with a decent knock of 74, leaving Brentwood in command.

However, Wanstead were not deterred by meeting the massive total with Arfan Akram hitting 60 for the visitors, helping them to 92-2.

But then the rain began to pour down causing this exciting contest to be abandoned.

Rivals Woodford Wells secured victory over Chelmsford with Robert Marshall and Robert Leiper both scored 65 runs.

Other notable scorers included Rishabh Shah (30), and Johan Thisanayagam (25) helping the home side to 262-6.

With the ball Luke O'Reilly (1-29) was unable to match his feat of four wickets against Ardleigh, and Tom Kopelman (1-23) was also among the wickets.

Neighbours South Woodford slumped to defeat against Colchester and East Essex.

Carl Greenidge (3-41) impressed with the ball while Harry Shirt (1-58) also chipped in but it was not enough as Colchester cruised to 164-4, winning by six wickets.

Meanwhile, in Division One Loughton's game against championship chasing Ilford also fell victim to the weather.

Loughts impressed with the bat with Rizwan Qureshi (63), Seb Gallaher (51) and Usman Jan (41) knocking up decent hauls to lead them to 230-9.

While with the ball Tony Palladino (3-21) limited Ilford to 115-3.

Chingford's game against Fives was also ended early because of the inclement weather.

Fives started well with the bat as Terry Ballard (41), Edward Buxton (73), Philip Apps (40) helping the home side to 248.

But Lenny Daniles (3-56), Ben MacGregor (4-74), and Shaun McMurray (3-32) helped Chingford to keep the score down.

Robert Whitfield (42 not out) and Sam Kirnon (30 not out) aided Chingford to secure 89-1 before the weather turned for the worst.

Elsewhere in Division Two Harlow beat Harold Wood by nine wickets with Sujith Janka scoring 37, while Walthamstow, with the help of Paul Southgate (62) also were victorious, beating Billericay by seven wickets.

However, Buckhurst Hill's game against Hadleigh and Thundersley fell victim to the weather.

Hill scored 171 for eight while their opponents scored 41-4.