Latest news from the Essex League

Romford Recorder: Shahbaz Butt examines the damage caused by the leaking covers at Upminster, which saw their match with Wanstead abandoned (pic: Ray Lawrence/TGSPHOTO)Shahbaz Butt examines the damage caused by the leaking covers at Upminster, which saw their match with Wanstead abandoned (pic: Ray Lawrence/TGSPHOTO) (Image: Ray Lawrence/TGSPHOTO c/o 27 Plaiters Way, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3LR - Editorial Use ONLY - FA Premier League and Football Le...)

Harold Wood returned to winning ways in the Essex League Premier Division with success at Chingford.

Beaten by Brentwood a week earlier, Wood chose to bat after winning the toss and despite a short rain delay made 245-9 from 62 overs.

Half centuries from Shahbaz Khan (69) and Richard Brabner (51) led the way, with Raihan Hussain (43) and Kristen Ali (38) also chipping in.

Khan (2-45) struck early with the ball in Chingford’s reply, with Brabner (2-22) and Mahruf Chowdhury (2-35) also having success.

Umar Farooq (4-12) mopped up the tail to clinch a 119-run victory.

Upminster’s clash with Wanstead was abandoned due to a wet pitch, while South Woodford and Shenfield battled to a draw.

Kevin Sargent (62 not out) and Nick Browne (52) top scored as South Woodford made 227, with Suhaib Sarwar (4-41) the pick of Shenfield’s bowling.

The visitors were never really in the hunt, though, and closed on 156-6 after Harry Levy (37 not out) top scored.

James Malin (3-24) and Harry Shirt (2-33) had most success with the ball for South Woodford.

Brentwood got the better of Ilford at Valentines Park after making 242.

Aaron West (84) and Gareth James (67) made the leading contributions for the visitors, as Aron Nijjar (3-66) led Ilford’s bowling attack.

Nijjar (26) top scored in reply as Ilford were dismissed for 152, with Thomas Moore (3-29) and Charlie Griffiths (3-43) Brentwood’s bowling heroes.

Tom Clark (5-26) shone as Woodford Wells dismissed Hutton for 211 in Division One before Rishabh Shah’s unbeaten 77 steered them to a six-wicket win.

Ardleigh Green could make only 156 against Hadleigh, with Luke Edwards (44) again their top scorer in a nine-wicket loss.

And Hainault & Clayhall fell to a seven-wicket defeat at Colchester, after Irfan Shah (69) and Mousshin Ismail (66) top scored in their 212-7.

An unbeaten century from Cameron Rule saw the home side safely to their target.

Jake Poulter (62) and Ben Britton (54) led Fives & Heronians to 258-7 against Billericay in Division Two, but it wasn’t enough as Paul Walter’s unbeaten 125 saw the hosts to a seven-wicket win.

Gidea Park & Romford made 236-8 against West Essex, on the back of half centuries from Sam Hewitt (66) and Sarvesh Damle (56), but the visitors successfully chased a revised target of 212 for the loss of eight wickets.

An unbeaten 86 from Paul Murray steered Hornchurch to a three-wicket win over Horndon, who made 188-8 at Harrow Lodge Park.

Myles Wells (3-28) shone with the ball for Hornchurch, who were set a revised target of 175 after rain.

Oakfield Parkonians were brought back to earth after their record-breaking win at Epping, as they lost to Benfleet.

Shane Vamadevan (28) top scored in their 158, while Jibran Azam was dismissed for just 13 after his double hundred a week earlier.

Benfleet reached their target with five wickets in hand, despite a brace of wickets from Abdul Rehman Razzaq (2-30).