Paul Alton

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Stanford overtake Westcliff in race for promotion place

STANFORD-LE-HOPE leapfrogged Westcliff-on-Sea into third place in the Shepherd Neame Essex League First XI Division Three table after beating Epping by 36 runs. But second-placed Basildon & Pitsea are still 18 points clear of Stanford following their 135-run victory over Walthamstow. And fourth-placed Westcliff are only eight points behind Stanford after drawing with Benfleet, who remain ninth in the table. Stanford were put into bat after losing the toss and were bowled out for 148 in 38.2 overs. Top order batsmen Alex Ellis (17), Martin Leslie (12) and Shehan Perera (12) got runs on the board and Duncan Page added 12 batting at five. But it was Jack Carter (22) and captain Matthew Page (30) who fared best with the bat for the hosts against an attack led by Shohel Ahmed (4-37) and Sachin Bawa (3-53). But Epping were unable to chase down the total as they were dismissed for 112 in 36.2. Greg Barr claimed the lion's share of the wickets with 5-37 from 11 overs, while Perera took 3-9 from  a 6.2-over spell, two of them maidens. Matthew Higgins and Adam Knight took a wicket each to complete the rout. Amit Ojha (23) and Bawa (22) fared best with the bat for the visitors, batting at two and three. But Jack Archer (13) and Shohel Ahmed (11) were the only other batsmen into double figures for Epping. Basildon kept up their promotion bid with a 135-run over hosts Walthamstow. Skipper Michael Gray opted to bat and was rewarded as the men from Mopsies racked 208 before being bowled out in 49.4 overs. Steven Ayres (20), Rob Davies (35) and Darren Thompson (37) provided a firm platform at the top of the order. And despite a few wickets going cheaply, wicket-keeper Jon Bonnett chipped in with 48 to get things back on track. Paul Miller (3-69), Rory Knox (3-37) and Mujhtair Jan (2-41) claimed the wickets. Dean Bedford was the bowling star for Basildon as he took 5-19 from a five-over spell that featured five maidens. Liam Rouse claimed 3-23 and Dan Bedford 2-21 as Walthamstow were skittled out for 73 in 29.2 overs. Rhys Marsh (35) and Ben Smith (29) were the only batsmen into double figures and six batsmen, including the final four, went for ducks in what was a comfortable victory for promotion-pushing Basildon. Benfleet and Westcliff's match was reduced to 87 overs due to dampness beneath the covers. When play did start Westcliff lost two early wickets but Peter Barnes (73) and Matt Renvoize (53) added substance to the innings. Jack Stead (16) and captain Chris Gladwin (16no) added runs further down the order against an attack led by Paul Frensham (3-49) and Gareth Steed (3-35). Benfleet openers Stephen Reeve (37) and Jack Scarff (28) made inroads into the total and Rob Zammit added 31 batting at four. But no other batsmen got into double figures as wickets tumbled. However, the hosts held out to reach 120-8, despite being reduced to 10 men following an injury to Jamie Critchell. Tom Baker (3-25) fared best with the ball, while Austin Holmes (2-21) and Nigel Holmes (2-18) took a brace each for Westcliff.