CHELMSFORD Cricket Club’s Saturday firsts suffered defeat but it the seconds to the fourths won and the fifths drew.

A poor batting display resulted in the first team losing at home to South Woodford. Dan Hagen’s 55 was the only score above 20 as Chelmsford fell to 143 all out.

A decent bowling and fielding display at times threatened to save the game but South Woodford triumphed by three wickets.

The second team enjoyed a comfortable victory away at Woodford Wells. Rob Hayto made 98 and Gary Chidley 60 as Chelmsford totalled an imposing 311-9 off their allotted 45 overs.

Ed Buxton made a good 129no in reply for Woodford Wells whose innings meandered to 236-5 with the result never really being in doubt.

The third team earned a victory over Hutton.

The opening partnership of Chris Drain and David Thrift both contributed half centuries and James Arnold 49no as Chelmsford finished on 204-6.

Hutton briefly threatened but eventually succumbed to 153 all out, Craig Thompson claiming five for 41 in a tidy spell.

Tom Iliffe was the hero for the fourth team, batting on with a broken thumb to make 111no and guide Chelmsford home by four wickets, aided by some belligerent batting from Andy Rycroft who made 60no. Harold Wood had made a very useful-looking 238-5.

The fifth team drew with Leigh-on-Sea thirds. Ed Cole and David Goddard got the innings off to a good start with half-centuries for both. Chelmsford declared on 228-4 and a couple of tight overs at the end ensured a draw.

The first team earned their first President’s Day victory in some time. Ben Clifford supplied 135 runs and Bradley Green 92 in Chelmsford’s 266-6 against the T Rippon Mid-Essex League Representative XI. The Representative XI’s innings collapsed and Chelmsford won by 49 runs.

The Sunday second team lost to Sheering who posted 303-7 before a standout innings of 114 from Chris Thanos took Chelmsford within reach of the target before they lost by 24 runs.