Oakley boosts survival bid

Ardleigh Green gave their Essex League Premier Division survival hopes a massive boost with victory over leaders Wanstead.

Anthony Hill and Shaun Eaton combined with the ball to share seven wickets as the home side, put into bat by Green skipper Chris Cook, were dismissed for 166.

Thomas Oakley hit a half-century in reply for Green, who reached their target with two wickets to spare.

Victory leaves Green seven points above the drop zone with four games left, starting with the visit of struggling Woodford Wells this weekend.

Gidea Park & Romford remain rooted to the bottom of the Division One table after losing to promotion hopefuls Shenfield.

Matthew Tarr (35) top scored in Park’s 209-9, as Arshad Ali picked up 7-56 from a marathon 31-over spell.

Former Essex staffer Jonathan Powell hit 87 from 88 balls to help Shenfield on their way to a two-wicket win.

Harold Wood are still in danger, after a crushing eight-wicket defeat against Hadleigh.

Wood were skittled for just 86 in 31 overs, before the hosts raced to their small target.

Hornchurch had no answer to leaders Buckhurst Hill, going down by seven wickets.

Paul Murray’s half-century provided little cheer as Hornchurch were dismissed for just 133, with six-wicket Mike Peacock the chief destroyer.

And Upminster saw their promotion hopes hit by defeat in a high-scoring clash at Orsett.

Centuries from Mo Ahktar and Jason Plom led the home side to a challenging 322-7, but Alan Ison replied with a hundred for Upminster, only for them to come up nine runs short of their victory target.

Hornchurch Athletic lost by 64 runs against Essex County League leaders Goresbrook, but Noak Hill Taverners celebrated a 100-run win over Ford 3rds in Division Two.

Havering, meanwhile, suffered a shock three-wicket defeat against struggling Hockley in Mid-Essex League Division Three.

But they remain 19 points clear at the top with four games remaining.