WANSTEAD are hanging on to the coat-tails of leaders Brentwood in the Premier Division of Essex Cricket after reaching a revised target with ease against Upminster in one of a handful of games to survive the weather at the weekend.

Every one of the Herons bowlers chipped in to restrict their opponents to 179 from their 45 overs, after rain had forced an abridged innings.

Just 22 overs remained and Wanstead were set a mark of 112, a score they reached comfortably for the loss of just one wicket thanks to Arfan Akram’s knock of 37 and Zain Shahzad’s unbeaten 47.

Wanstead trail Brentwood by just 13 points after four games.

Elsewhere, in the same division, Woodford Wells’ clash with Chelmsford was abandoned, while Loughton were left wishing the weather had intervened for them, too, as they were skittled for just 150 in losing to Brentwood.

In Division One, South Woodford are clipping at the heels of frontrunners Ardleigh Green after a comprehensive victory over third-placed Shenfield.

Richard Browne starred with the ball, claiming four wickets as Shenfield were hustled out for 98, before Nick Browne marshalled the team over the finish line with an undefeated 46.

In the day’s local derby, Chingford and Fives & Heronians were also forced to head for shelter as their game was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Buckhurst Hill, the area’s sole representative in Division Two, continue to lead the way after a four-wicket win over Old Southendians, reaching their revised target of 113 after a rain-interrupted game.

In Division Three, Walthamstow hold a 14-point lead over the chasing pack following another revised seven-wicket victory over Belhus.

Asif Bala (24 not out) and Zia Anwar (21 not out) guided the team home.

The weekend’s derby match between Woodford Green and Ongar ended with the former coming out on top.

Ongar, the visitors, were restricted to 198 by a disciplined bowling display, but Green comfortably reached the target – revised to 134 – for the loss of just five wickets.

Meanwhile, Anton Buntin’s five-wicket haul could not stop Old Brentwoods squeezing over the line with just one wicket to spare, leaving Old Parkonians to mull over a third defeat of the campaign. West Essex were defeated by Southend-on-Sea to remain rooted to the foot of the table, while Epping’s game against Billericay was abandoned.