CHELMSFORD Cricket Club maintained their grip on top spot of the Shepherd Neame Essex League Premier Division with a three-wicket win over Ilford.

The First XI are three points clear of Wanstead & Snaresbrook going into this Saturday’s home clash with Buckhurst Hill.

Ilford’s top four got into double figures but then wickets fell cheaply until a late flourish from the tail got the hosts to 120 all out, with Oliver Devenish (4-30) and Sam Cook (4-34) leading the attack. Chelmsford’s openers were early victims but Chris Prowting (26) and Jack Sterland (23) helped steer the visitors to a winning 121-7.

The Second XI are level with Brentwood on 80 points at the top of the Premier Division following a crushing nine-wicket triumph over visitors Shenfield.

Stuart Everard (6-9), Liam Keaney (2012) and Mark Drain (2-22) ripped through the basement team’s batting line-up to skittle them out for 44 runs.
Paul Jones top-scored with 27 as Chelmsford cantered to a winning 46-1.

The Third XI added further misery to Shenfield by beating their third string by seven wickets to leave the Chelmer Park team third in the Premier Division.

Craig Thompson (2-38) and Keith Goodman (2-34) got among the wickets as Matthew Simmons (86) helped the hosts to 206 all out. But Stephen Pleasant’s unbeaten 80 plus 44 from Chris Drain and 42 from Matthew Davis got Chelmsford to a winning 209-3.

Chelmsford’s Fourth XI secured a 166-run win over Chingford's thirds after Steve Bond plundered an unbeaten 104 and skipper Phil Arnold hit 77.
Their efforts helped the hosts to declare on 266-4 before Luke Wells (3-39), Rory Skepelhorn (2-13) and Huw Davies (2-16) claimed the lion's share of wickets to bowl Chingford out for 100.

And Chelmsford’s Fifth XI made it a clean sweep of victories for the club by defeating Belhus by 63 runs in  the Fourth XI Premier Division.
Jordan Campion (61) and Barry Clayden (40no) contributed most to Chelmsford’s 217-6 declared. Andrew Shepherd (4-54) and Alistair Baldwin (2-21) did the damage with the ball as Belhus were bowled out for 154.

T Rippon Mid-Essex League results, Premier Division: Burnham Sports (154) lost to Little Baddow (250-7) by 96 runs, Goresbrook (141) lost to Springfield (264-7) by 123 runs, Great Baddow (143) lost to Old Chelmsfordians (247-7) by 104 runs, Thurrock (233-9) beat Hatfield Peverel (40) by 193 runs. Division 1: Rettendon (370-9) bt Bentley (276-9) by 94 runs, Ingatestone (270-4) beat Stock (227) by 43 runs. Division 2: Writtle (117-1) beat Great Waltham (116) by 9 wickets, South Weald (164-1) beat Little Waltham (162) by 9 wickets, Hornchurch Athletic (252-9) beat Springfield II (247-6) by 5 runs. Division 4: Willow Herbs (170-3) beat Springfield III (169) by 7 wickets, East Hanningfield (122-0) beat Lt Baddow II (121) by 10 wickets, OCs II (170-7) beat Chadwell Heath (167) by 3 wickets. Division 5: Gt Waltham II (206) beat St John’s Billericay (174) by 32 runs, Brookweald II (153) beat Sandon Sports (104) by 49 runs, Rayne (221-7) beat Galleywood (81) by 140 runs. Division 6: Ingatestone II (192-9) beat Writtle II (164) by 28 runs,  Roxwell Blues (280-5) beat Marconi (177-9) by 103 runs, Rettendon II (284-4) beat Lt Waltham II (91) by 193 runs.