Cricket round-up

In a see-saw match, Loughton made a strong start, only for their middle order to wobble worryingly mid-innings. The situation was rescued by an impressive rearguard action, boosting the team up past the 275 mark, a target their bowlers were able to defend by skittling Wells with 33 runs still required.

Faisal Shah (69) and Gareth James (46) had got the ball rolling for the visitors, only for Nathan Price (4-62) to drag Woodford back into contention. However, back came Loughton with numbers nine and ten, Stuart Greenhill (42) and Rob Hayne (60 not out), marshalling the side up to an imposing score.

Wells appeared out of the game when they were reduced to 50-3, but they wrestled back the initiative through Adam Wheater (80). It was not to be though, as Usman Jan struck four times and Loughton prevailed, taking maximum points to move alongside Wells in the table in fifth.

Elsewhere, Wanstead eased to a three-wicket win over basement boys Gidea Park & Romford to maintain a four-point cushion at the top of the table.

Merv Westfield and Mohammed Fayyaz Khan picked up three wickets each as the Herons stemmed the visitors' scoring. And the batsmen did their job, Adnan Akram's knock of 73 the highlight in the successful chase.

Meanwhile, South Woodford were getting 'Shirty' at the weekend in their Division One clash with Hutton.

Max Shirt blazed a magnificent century and Harry Shirt claimed an excellent five-wicket haul during the draw, which keeps the local side hot on the heels of leaders Ardleigh Green, the gap now standing at seven points. In the same division Fives & Heronians' batsmen turned up the heat to surpass Hornchurch's seemingly insurmountable total of 323 in just 39 overs.

The Paddock men had shipped a boatload of runs but, undeterred, the irrepressible Gary Edwards (96 not out), Phillip Apps (77), Irfan Ahmed (58) and Ben Britton (78 not out) all brought their A games to blast their way to victory in double-quick time.

Chingford blew a promising start to register just 222 against Hadleigh & Thundersley on Saturday, and despite the efforts of Alfie Taylor, who claimed three wickets, the away team were able to cruise home for the loss of six batsmen.

Buckhurst Hill remain in the promotion hunt after a devastating six-wicket win over Stanford Le Hope, thanks largely to the efforts of Josh Peters.

The fast bowler claimed seven victims as Stanford crumbled to 103 all out, and it was left to skipper Russell Beckett (32 not out) to guide the team seamlessly to their target with the bat.

In Division Three, Woodford Green clung on for a draw against league leaders and rivals Walthamstow.

Sean Martin and Mohammed Hassan were the final pair for Green that were able to stave off a late barrage from Stow's attack. A terrific ton from Joe Mariani had earlier set the platform for the visitors, with their score of 271 proving well beyond the capabilities of Green.

West Essex emerged victorious in the day's other derby, incredibly managing to defend their paltry total of 144 against Epping.

Terry Preston had put Epping in the ascendancy with five wickets, but the batsmen failed to fire as West Essex restricted them to just 101.

Old Parkonians cantered to a 55-run win over Billericay, while a huge score of 166 from Aidan Wilkins helped Ongar to a draw with Belhus.