Division One: Saffron Walden were victorious over hosts Horndon with a 48-run win, causing Horndon to suffer their thrid consecutive defeat.

Saffron Walden batted first and saw T Prince score a fine 121 alongside B Sindell (79) and declared on 253-4.

S Baker then claimed 5-14 and bowled seven maidens from 12 overs, as Hordon were bowled out for 195, the highlight of the innings being T Hurrel’s 58.

Hordon remain bottom of the table, claiming only four points whereas Saffron Walden gained 20 with their win.

Wickford enjoyed victory over Harlow. Harlow batted first and posted 251-7 declared thanks to N Modwadia (59) and I Nuttall (54).

But Wickford stepped up to the call and replied with a five-wicket win as they scored 255-2 with I Shah posting 86 and Lee Deller unbeaten on 80.

The result moves Wickford one place up to second in the league, and Harlow remaining third from bottom.

Division Two: Gidea Park & Romford’s lead over Leigh was cut to four points as Leigh pulled off an inspiring knock over visitors Hadleigh & Thundersley, gaining 20 points.

The hosts put on 272-4 declared with J Dyos (126) and E Freeman (95no) contributing masively to the score.

D Power was the pick of the bowlers for Leigh with 5-93 as they bowled out Hadleigh & Thundersley for 250, their top scorer being S Rowe with 51.

The victory saw Leigh to extend the gap between them and rivals Harold Wood to 14 points, even though Harold Wood picked up a 18 point victory over Basildon & Pitsea.

The new towners were reduced to 164 all out, and Harold Wood replied with 165-4 to secure a six-wicket victory.

Westcliff on Sea added to Buckhurst Hill’s woes as they defeated their hosts by seven wickets to claim 18 points to Hill’s five.

C Cox took 5-53 to condemn Hill to 158 all out before Westcliff rattled off 160-3 to secure the victory.

Benfleet lost by seven-wickets away to leaders Gidea Park & Romford.

The visitors were bowled out for 205 as A Churchill (5-34) got among the wickets.

B Pater (69) led the way for Gida Park as they hit a winning 206-3 in reply to take 18 points to Benfleet’s nine.

Other result: Walthamstow 166, West Essex 168-3 (West Essex won by 7 wickets).

Division Three: Billericay remain at the top of the table despite their second consecutive defeat in the league against Epping.

Billericay elected to bat first and posted a score of 171-8.

In reply, Epping got off to a firing start with opener D Twitchett scoring an unbeaten 95 to see the away side to victory with 172-2 off 33 overs. Epping picked up 18 points to Billericay's four.

The weekend also saw Old Southendian & Southchurch drop one place to fourth with a 11-run defeat to rivals Stanford le Hope who put on 158.

Old Southendian could only post a score of 147 all out as M Hope scored 60. But A Paverly of Stanford bowled beautifully with figures of 14-3-25-5.

Southend on Sea hosted Ongar and finished the day with 18 points for an eight-wicket triumph. Ongar batted first and posted 150-6 declared but could do nothing to prevent the seasiders clocking up a winning reply of 152-2, largely thanks to N Ahmed’s 81.

Orsett were also celebrating an 18-point haul after returning from Old Brentwoods with a four-wicket win.

T McKenzie hit 77 for the old boys as the posted 207-9 declared, with G Pavett taking 5-55. But Orsett hit 211-6 in reply to leave Old Brentwoods with 10 points.

Other results: Old Parkonians 253-3 dec, Woodford Green 233-6 (match drawn).

Premier Division: Brentwood 126, Fives & Heronians 127-3 (Fives won by 7 wickets); Chingford 191, Ilford 195-6 (Ilford won by 4 wickets); Hainault & Clayhall 268-9 dec, Loughton 269-6 (Loughton won by 4 wickets); Wanstead 200-9 dec, Chelmsford 201-6 (Chelmsford won by 4 wickets); Colchester & East Essex 254-6 dec, Woodford Wells 255-8 (Woodford Wells won by 2 wickets).