Wanstead look to have Essex title sewn up

With just five weeks of the season remaining, Wanstead look home and dry at the top of the Shepherd Neame ECB Essex Premier League with a 50 point lead and a relatively easy run in.

Alex Richards with an unbeaten 89 and Jon Chambers were the main architects of a nine-wicket win over Shenfield who were bowled out for 195 in the 62nd over.

Hadleigh moved into second place with a seven wicket win over Billericay with Ron Barker claiming six wickets as they were bowled out for 153 and Devang Ghandi and Paul Corps contributing most of the runs required.

Colin Greenhill steered Loughton to a five wicket win over Chelmsford at Chelmer Park in a low scoring game and fortune has to change radically for Chelmsford and Billericay if they are to avoid the drop into division one.

Saffron Walden's challenge was blunted by Hainault & Clayhall who finished 40 short of Saffron Walden's 251 with two wickets in hand.

And in the remaining game Fives & Heronians did themselves some good by collecting seven points from a draw with Gidea Park without ever being in contention.