There are no longer any teams cherishing an unbeaten record in the Osborne League.

The last three were sent tumbling at the weekend with defeats for Cressing in division three, Hatfield Peverel in division four and fifth division Real Oddies.

What's more, erstwhile first division leaders Boxted were beaten for the second time this season and now lie second to Eight Ash Green.

Cressing's 100 per cent record came unstuck at Tiptree, for whom Steve Turner top-scored with 57 out of a total of 179, Geoff Butler taking five for 37.

Cressing recovered from 25 for three, Danny Skinner making 73, but eventually succumbed 28 runs short for 151.

Hatfield Peverel, after eight straight victories, finally tasted defeat at Eastcliff.

Jim Simons (63) was the main rungetter in the Clacton side's 204 for six, and youngster David Coyle - aided by four slip catches from skipper Chris Bruce - took six for 25 as the visitors were dismissed for 117.

The Oddies suffered their first Osborne League defeat at home to Chappel, although they had previously tied with Wormingford.

However, their closest challengers, Abberton, lost out on the chance to widen the gap between them.

Debenham and Farthing both scored 52 as Wormingford rattled up 207 for 8, leaving Abberton trailing on 183 despite 74 from Barry Ball.

Elsewhere in division five, Maldon will have to come before the league's management committee after conceding their third fixture in as many weeks. With 20 points deducted they now languish firmly in wooden spoon position.

Maldon also failed to field a side this week in division one, leaving Bures to take the points without facing a ball.

Eight Ash Green hit the top for the first time this year after two division one victories.

Richard Polley's unbeaten 52 was the highlight of their seven-wicket win over West Bergholt on Saturday.

Then Stuart Hammond (55) joined his uncle Keith (52) to help the Green to 206 for seven on Sunday, which was enough to beat Abberton by just four runs.

Giles Saunders (57) was the top scorer for Abberton.

Chappel's Brett Patmore took six for 25 and Robin Carter three for 24 as Boxted were dismissed for just 83 on the way to a 72-run defeat.

In division two, Scott Mills marked his first game of the season with four wickets for four runs as West Mersea trounced Kelvedon by 146 runs. Stuart Hempstead had earlier scored 81 not out in Mersea's 224 for four.

And Lexden's unexpected title challenge continues to wane. They suffered their second successive defeat, this time by seven wickets, after Halstead skittled them out for just 69.

Silver End compunded a bad weekend for Kelvedon, reaching their 163 for nine with five wickets to spare.

Kelvedon's Paul Lees falls foul of the bowling

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.