DIVISION THREE

A FINE all round performance from Kellon Carmichael helped Hadleigh & Thundersley beat Woodford Wells by six wickets at their John Burrows base on Saturday.

Carmichael took two wickets before scoring 78 runs to help Hadleigh come out on top.

And the victory also saw second-placed Hadleigh move to within two points of leaders Colchester & East Essex.

Hadleigh put the visitors into bat after winning the toss and bowled them out for 193.

Adam Dobson was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets for 41 runs while Tim Lowes with 2-14, Carmichael 2-22 and Richard Revell 2-31 also made key contributions.

In reply, Hadleigh made a poor start and were reduced to 12-3 before Carmichael was joined at the crease by captain Adam Soilleux.

Carmichael top scored with 78 while Soilleux hit 73 not out to guide Hadleigh home.

The win saw Hadleigh narrow the gap on table-topping Colchester, whose game against Southend & EMT was abandoned due to the wet weather.

Colchester batted first and made 268-9.

Steve Johnson led the way with the ball for Hadleigh, taking 3-39 and skipper Joe Robbins claimed 3-61.

With the bat, Hadleigh slipped to 55-4 before rain forced the match to come to an early end.

Southend are now fifth in the standings, two places ahead of Wickford after beating Harlow by eight wickets in a rain-affected encounter.

Harlow elected to bat after winning the toss at the Patmore Memorial Ground and were bowled out for 276.

Chirag Desai took three wickets for 38 runs, while Jamie Went claimed 3-42.

Wickford then made an amazing start to their own innings as they reached 182 before losing their first wicket.

Tinotenda Mawoyo top scored with 109 and his opening partner, former Essex player Darren Robinson, made 60 as Wickford reached their reduced target of 202 for the loss of just two wickets in 26 overs of play.