A DEVASTATING performance with both bat and ball from Nathan Price steered Woodford Wells to a comfortable victory over Essex Premier League newcomers and close rivals Loughton.

Batting at four, Price entered the fray with Wells wobbling on 22-2, but he and opener Robert Marshall (64) put on a rapid 132-run stand for the third wicket to take the game away from the hosts.

Price was eventually trapped lbw by Usman Jan just five runs short of his century, but the damage had been done, Wells coasting to an imposing 269.

In reply, Loughton never really got going, and Price was at the centre of the action again, claiming two wickets, along with Luke O’Reilly and Rory Ellison to wrap up the win.

Elsewhere in the division, Wanstead maintained their winning start to the season after comfortably seeing off Gidea Park & Romford by six wickets.

Christopher Murray bagged three victims as the home side crumbled to 200 all out.

Milan Patel and Merv Westfield then both hit half-centuries to complete the formality of the chase.

In Division One, Chingford made it two wins from two thanks to an excellent display of bowling against Hadleigh & Thundersley.

The Forest Side team made hard work for themselves by limping to a total of 216, with Robert Whitfield (48), James Hill (42) and Ben MacGregor (32) the only real contributors with the bat.

But, despite a strong start from the hosts, Chingford reined them in, MacGregor, Shaun McMurray and Javed Akhtar picking up two wickets apiece as they restricted Hadleigh to 196.

South Woodford were also celebrating at the weekend, as Harry Shirt starred with three wickets and an undefeated knock off 33 in their victory over Hutton, while Fives & Heronians came up 22 runs short at Hornchurch.

Meanwhile, in Division Two, Buckhurst Hill ripped through the Stanford Le Hope batting line-up to defend their modest score of 222 from their 50 overs.

Ian Russell’s knock of 73 ensured Hill posted a competitive score, but it was not to matter, as Josh Peters (3-33) and the rest of the attack skittled their opponents for just 130.

Walthamstow are top of the Division Three table after blasting their way past rivals Woodford Green.

While Green, and in particular Yaqoob Khushi (4-37) did well to restrict the hosts to 210, they could not get to grips with Walthamstow’s attack, crumbling to 90 all out.

Epping have also started well, triumphing for the second week in a row over local rivals West Essex.

Dan Twitchett (63) led the Lower Bury Lane side’s innings of 203, although the visitors were frequently hauled back under control by their hosts. Usman Aslam picked up three wickets, while Omer Malik wrapped up the tail.

Twitchett’s score was bettered by Gareth Jenkins’ superb effort of 90, but only one other West Essex batsman reached double figures. David Stokoe (4-35) and Terry Preston (3-39) led the victory charge for Epping, while Adnan Butt had two scalps.

Old Parkonians were well beaten by Billericay, and Ongar were defeated at Belhus, despite an excellent innings of 86 from Ben Chambers.