Phil Warner hit an unbeaten century for Colchester and East Essex at Castle Park but still ended up on the losing side.

Bures replied to Colchester's 230-3 through Will Amos (82) and Richard Haines (65 not out) to win with three overs to spare, in Division One.

At the top of the table, Eight Ash Green were run close by Chappel and Wakes Colne.

The strong EAG line-up, who included the usually prolific scorer Stuart Hammond, were dismissed for 84 with only a Richard Polley 20 offering resistance before he was bowled lbw by Gavin Wright.

But Alistair Woodcock's slow left-arm bowling did major damage as he took 6-14 to help see off Chappel for 67.

Maldon had a weekend of close cricket. They lost by a single wicket at Shalford on Saturday but beat St Osyth by the same margin on Sunday.

Jeff Cook, left with only the last man for company, survived a conclusive appeal for a catch behind to steer Maldon to the one-wicket win.

St Osyth collapsed spinelessly against the spin of Paul Raymond who took 5-13 to crumble from 34-0 to 64-7.

Maldon appeared to have the game won but Dean Williams and Tony McManus initiated a spirited comeback.

The tenth-wicket pair survived for 14 overs with a few alarms along the way, to add 65 and break an 18-year-old club record for the last wicket.

With 151 to defend, St Osyth looked a rejuvenated side and soon had Maldon at 8-3.

Ian Elliott made a composed half century before he went caught at deep square leg by Fenner off Scott to set up a tantalising finish.

But Cook held on and his 37 broke St Osyth hearts.

In Division Two, Alec McBride made a career-best unbeaten 117 for Halstead as they beat Ardleigh by 81 runs. Fifteen-year-old Andy Rose also scored 44 not out for Halstead.

Langham managed the lowest league total of the season so far with a paltry 27.

Lexden's Colin Hayward took 5-11 while John Jones took the other 5-15.

Mick Gilbert took 6-18 as Clacton Ramblers scrambled to their first win of the season, beating Totham by three runs.

Kevin Hewes returned figures of 5-19 as West Mersea inflicted a first defeat of the season on Little Clacton by ten wickets.

In Division Four, Hatfield Peverel hit the highest total of the season to date with a whopping 301-5 with Adrian Bird knocking up 127.

Kelvedon were no match and were skittled out for a mere 46, finishing 255 runs adrift of the unbeaten divisional leaders.

Youngster Paul Coyle hit his maiden half century to rescue Eastcliff from a perilous 63-3 to take them to a healthy 160-7.

Ian Manning made 26 before trying one suicidal run too many and David Coyle made a tail-wagging 25 off 14 balls.

Cavaliers made a solid start and were up with the run rate at 74-3 but Eastcliff bowlers tightened their line and length and won it by the 43rd over giving them their third win of the year and surpassing the total number of league wins last season.

In Division Five, Abberton marched to their sixth successive victory, outclassing Silver End by 172 runs.

Wormingford and new boys Real Oddies tied at 159, with Pete Pearson scoring 67 for Oddies and Scott Farthing 52 for Wormingford.

Maldon's Paul Raymond wreaks havoc against St Osyth

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