CHELMSFORD Cricket Club’s first XI maintained their unbeaten start to the Essex League season with a four-wicket victory over visitors Buckhurst Hill.

Anthony Hill (5-34) and Sam Cook (3-36) did most of the damage with the ball as Buckhurst were bowled out for 171, with only Alexander Maskell (47), Ian Russell (44) and Rohan Bhome (38) troubling the scorers.

Aaron Beard (38) and Nick Prowting (24) made early inroads before Chris Prowting (37no) and James Clifford (41) helped the Premier Divisiion leaders to a winning 172-6.

Chelmsford’s second XI defeated hosts Woodford Wells by six wickets in their Premier Division match.

Stuart Everard claimed 7-65 and Mark Drain 3-51 as Woodford were dismissed for 207, with Alex Sharp (77) leading the resistance.

Jack Moss (54), Paul Jones (43no), Rob Catchpole (35), Bradley Green (26) and skipper Lee Cranmer (31no) anchored the winning 209-4 reply.

There was a comfortable seven-wicket win for Chelmsford’s third XI in the Premier Division.

Stephen Drain (3-57) and Keith Goodman (3-60) helped reduce Woodford Wells to 222 all out, with Shameel Khan (87no) anchoring the resistance.

And wicketkeeper Henry Brisland’s 123 and David Thrift’s unbeaten 70 put Chelmsford on track to a winning 226-3.

But Chelmsford’s fourth XI went down by four wickets away to South Woodford in Division One.

David Goddard (50no), Abhijeet Kumar (48), and Harry Arnold (32) were the mainstays of Chelmsford’s 176-9, with Farhan Salahudeen taking 5-42.

Philip Arnold took 3-31 fared best with the ball as Salahudeen (61) anchored the winning 178-6 South Woodford reply.

And Chelmsford fifth XI suffered a 70-run defeat in the fourth XI Premier Division at the hands of hosts Leigh-on-Sea.

Matthew Cole (4-16) and Alex Bailey (3-46) did the most damage before Leigh declared on 199-9, with Mohammed Raza (45) top-scoring.

Captain and wicketkeeper Barry Clayden (42) led the run chase but Chelmsford fell short at 129-9.

T Rippon Mid-Essex League results, Premier Division: Thurrock (246) bt Little Baddow (243) by 3 runs, Old Chelmsfordians (200) bt Hatfield Peverel (119) by 81 runs, Springfield (333-6) beat Great Baddow (252-9) by 81 runs. Division 1: Ingatestone (290) bt Aythorpe Roding (198) by 92 runs. Division 2: Springfield II (163-3) bt Great Waltham (161) by 7 wickets, Little Waltham (257) bt Havering-atte-Bower (253) by 4 runs, Rainham (252-7) bt Writtle (251) by 1 run. Division 4: East Hanningfield (156-4) bt Old Chelmsfordians (154-9) by 6 wickets, Chadwell Heath (222) bt Springfield III (199) by 23 runs, Thurrock II (269-7) bt Lt Baddow (127-7) by 142 runs. Division 5: Sandon Sports (232-8) bt Havering AB II (125) by 107 runs, Gt Waltham II (148-5) bt Rayleigh III (146) by 5 wickets, Galleywood (158-2) bt St John’s Billericay (154) by 8 wickets. Division 6: Marconi (247-9) bt Aythorpe Roding II (153) by 94 runs, Roxwell Blues (265-7) bt Ingatestone II (211) by 54 runs, Lt Waltham II (140-1) bt Rayleigh Fairview II (139) by 9 wickets, Rankins (206) beat Writtle II (177) by 29 runs. Division 7: Danbury (179) bt Mountnessing (178-8) by 10 wickets. Division 8: Great Baddow III (219-8) bt Boreham (191) by 28 runs, Hatfield Peverel II (286-5) bt Chignal (173) by 112 runs.