Aythorpe Roding were pushed all the way by Ekco Monarchs and Trojans on Saturday, but kept up their fine form to secure a 19-run victory. Roding, batting first, had skipper Richard Dunmow to thank for their decent score of 187-9 in 45 overs. Opener Dunmow

Aythorpe Roding were pushed all the way by Ekco Monarchs and Trojans on Saturday, but kept up their fine form to secure a 19-run victory.

Roding, batting first, had skipper Richard Dunmow to thank for their decent score of 187-9 in 45 overs. Opener Dunmow hit an excellent 80 and had some useful partners with R Whatling (14) Steve Simmonds (42) and Joe Grant (18).

Ekco openers Hixon (43) and Amin (32) got off to a good start. Sibley (30) and Ali (19) also scored well, but then Neil Culleton put in a good bowling performance claiming 7-41 in 11.21 overs.

Graham Milbank (2-25 in 12 overs) also bowled well, but Aythorpe had to wait until the 44th over to take the final wicket after a stubborn batting performance from James who hit 33 not out as Ekco ended on 168 all out in 43.2 overs.

On Saturday it's local derby time as Aythorpe Roding entertain High Roding, 1.30pm start.

The seconds made it four out of four with a victory over Old Chelmsfordians III on Saturday in the T-Rippon Mid-Essex League Division 10.

Chelmsfordians batted first, but could only reach 110 all out in 33.1 overs.

In reply Aythorpe reached their target in the 20th over with six wickets to spare ending on 112-4.

Rayne fell to a disappointing Mid-Essex League Division Two defeat to neighbours Gt Waltham, mainly due to inspired bowling from Dave Clout who took 7-37.

Rayne won the toss and asked Waltham to bat, and were left ruing the decision as Bloom (52) and Godding (32) raced to 80 without loss from the first 15 overs. Graham Wickes was brought into the attack and he removed Godding and Whettle in quick succession. Mark Sainsbury accounted for Bloom and Rayne were back in the match with the score at 90-3.

Wickes cleaned bowled the next two and Rayne applied some pressure with Mike Porter also bowling well. Clout (20) hit Paul Shepard out on the deep leg boundary, and after some resistance from Richardson (10) and Kendrick (12) Waltham were dismissed for 150 in the 43rd over.

Wickes recorded his best figure for Rayne with 11-5-38-5 and he was well supported by Porter who took 4-16 from 9.2 overs.

Waltham's opening pair of Clout and Chapman settled into a good line and Rayne were not up to the task as Clout ripped through the top order.

When Clout finished his spell (12-0-37-7), Rayne were staring defeat in the face and even some defiant resistance from Dave Dawson could not help them get close as they were finally dismissed for 75.

On Saturday Rayne visit Little Waltham.

Rayne seconds secured a five wicket victory over Woodham Mortimer seconds on Saturday.

Woodham batting first were all out for 176 with Rayne reaching 178 with an over and a half to spare.

Chesterfords put in a battling performance to defeat Matching Green by 59 runs on Saturday.

Returning captain James Lipscombe lost the toss and Chesterfords were put into bat.

Paul Phillips and David Lightning started confidently and Matching Green's opening pair of Scantlebury and Bass struggled early on helping the hosts add a total of 39 extras. Chesterfords raced to 64 off of 10 overs before Lightning (15) was bowled.

James Pullen joined Phillips at the crease and continued his strong early season form with a quick fire 24 before he was caught by the keeper.

Paul Phillips was joined by James Lipscombe at the crease and both batsmen started to set about their task. Phillips fell in the 26th over for 64 and Perring joined Lipscombe at the crease and they both started to accelerate the run rate dramatically.

Perring was bowled by Hartnell for a valuable 17 and Lipscombe carried on demolishing the Matching Green bowling attack. The score moved onto a massive 278 off of 45 overs with Lipscombe finishing on 95 not out.

Some early wayward bowling from Chesterfords gave Matching Green's opening pair a steady start. The hosts took a few wickets, but Hartnell came to the crease and looked in fine form as Chesterfords bowling started to falter.

Just when it looked like the visitors could steal the win, Adam Miles came in taking 4-50 from 10 overs and he and David Lightning who took 2-33 bamboozled Green to give the hosts the victory.

Thaxted recorded their third league triumph of the season with a three-wicket win over Thundridge.

Captain Kevin Wood won the toss and the opening bowling pair of Aaron Gent and Charlie Burrett ripped into the heart of the Thundridge batting. Burrett finished with five wickets and was ably supported by Mark Taylor, Sean Murphy and Luke Matthews who shared the remaining wickets as Thundridge were all out on 82.

A steady 32 from Kevin Wood proved to be the backbone of the innings for Thaxted before they needlessly lost wickets in the gloom. However, Mark Taylor hit the winning runs to see Thaxted through with the loss of seven wickets.