Of the sixty nine matches played yesterday only twelve ended in draws. In the top section Saffron Walden beat last years winners, Ardleigh Green, by just twelve runs with J Staines falling one run short of his hundred. Upminster got off to a good start in the division with a three wicket win over Hainault but South Woodford found Brentwood’s new overseas player too much for them losing by three wickets as Shilingford collected five wickets and fifty runs. Wanstead restricted Chingford to just under the two hundred mark and duly won by three wickets whilst Colchester hung on for a draw with Gidea Park with nine wickets down and forty six needed.

In division one Ilford, Hutton and Orsett all won relatively easily while Chelmsford hung on for a draw against Woodford Wells and Westcliff had two wickets in hand requiring fifteen to win against Wickford at the close. Old Southendians, Hadleigh and Harold Wood all won in division two batting first with Fives defeating Harlow by six wickets. Loughton probably had slightly the better of the drawn game with Shenfield in which three centuries were scored. Ongar got off to a far better start then last year defeating Buckhurst Hill by some hundred and twenty runs to lead the third division from old Brentwoods who made short work of Stanford le Hope and West Essex who required just short of three hundred to beat Woodford Green duly winning by six wickets.

 Will those phoning in results please read page 227 of the handbook before next week and follow the instructions!!      

 Four clubs were penalised for failing to phone in for the national press Colchester, Harlow, Epping and Ongar and Gidea Park for ignoring the results service.