Ilford came up short in their Hamro Foundation Essex League clash with Fives & Heronians at Valentines Park on Saturday.

Captain Haaris Ayub put the visitors into bat, but saw them post 276-9 in 50 overs.

Ben Yeats put on 91 for the first wicket with Bradley Copper (45), who fell to Akhil Anil (2-54), and reached 56 before falling to Ayub (3-70).

Jake Poulter (51) and Ross Ter Braak (73 not out) then hit out in the middle order before I Khan (3-32) had success with the ball for Ilford.

But the hosts slipped to 90-4 in reply, as Kanchana Dassanayake (23) and Anil (24) made starts, before Ayub and Mohammad Ahktar (24) put on 53.

Ayub saw more partners fall, though, and was unbeaten on 82 when the Ilford innings closed on 231-9.

*Woodford Wells beat Benfleet by four wickets in Division Two, after dismissing the hosts for 154.

Gareth James (3-17) and Robert McNeill (3-42) had most success with the ball for Wells, before Akbar Jabar (44 not out) and Liam Dolden (33) top scored in their chase.

Aztecs piled up 292-9 against Horndon at Oakfield Playing Fields, as Uthman Salim (50), Dipayan Paul (45) and Vikrant Venkatesan (41) led the way.

And Burham Mahmood (4-39) and Paul (3-46) were the pick of the bowling as the visitors were dismissed for 235 in 40 overs.