LOUGHTON CC earned local bragging rights and hauled themselves into the promotion hunt with a comfortable victory over Fives & Heron-ians in one of the few games that managed to beat the weather on Saturday.

Last week’s hero Rizwan Qureshi was at it again for Lough-ton, as he first dismissed the dangerous Carlos Remy on 57 before mopping up the tail as Fives’ final four batsmen all fell without troubling the scorers.

Opener Terry Ballard got the innings up and running with a quickfire 49 off just 46 balls, but it was the partnership between Remy and Rahul Bhome (39 not out) that helped the visitors up to a respectable total of 184.

However, wh-ereas two of Fives’ top three failed with the bat, Loughton’s hit form.

Openers Ga-reth James and Ritchie Bann both hit half centuries to get the hosts off to a flier, before Qureshi marshalled his team home with a swift 39.

Loughton are now level on points with second-placed Ilford, while they trail leaders Horn-church by just ten points.

Elsewhere, South Woodford overcame Pre-mier Division strugglers Ar-dleigh Green at the weekend, thanks to a terrific bowling display from Pratik Acharya and a superb knock from opener Rizwan Akram.

Carl Greenidge claimed three quick wickets to derail Green’s innings and when Archarya re-moved Farid Butt for 62 the visitors crumbled.

Archarya combined with Harry Shirt to clean up the middle and lower order, setting South Woodford just 144 for victory.

Four of the hosts’ top five failed to make it into double figures, but, fortunately for them, Akram (90 not out) and Nick Browne (45 not out) kept their heads to make light work of the target.

Wanstead and Woodford Wells’ Premier Division derby clash fell victim to the weather, although there was time for Arfan Akram to blast a scintillating 93 runs during the Herons’ innings.

Back in Division One Chingford’s game with Orsett was abandoned after the local side had made 243 from their 52 overs. In Division Two, Buckhurst Hill did battle with local rivals Walthamstow, but again the heavens opened, and despite fifties from Hill’s Rohan Bhome and Ian Russell, the game was eventually called off.

Harlow were hunting down Leigh on Sea’s total of 189 with gusto when the rain intervened, leaving Rehman Ahmed stranded on 51 and Darren Green on 47.

Meanwhile, West Essex made hard work of Southend on Sea’s paltry total of 109, but after losing half their wickets they managed to get over the winning line.

Irfan Riaz and Neil Dial were the pick of the bowlers, while Dan Footman made a valuable half-century.

The contest between Epping and Woodford Green was rained off, as was Old Parkonians’ match with Belhus and Ongar’s game against Benfleet.