DIVISION ONE:

HADLEIGH & Thundersley returned to winning ways with a narrow one-wicket win against local rivals Wickford.

Hadleigh went into the game on the back of four successive defeats.

But they were able to get their promotion push back on track with a vital victory which delighted their bowler David Williams.

“After four defeats on the spin it’s good to finally get that winning feeling back and should give us confidence going into the Colchester game next week,” said Williams.

“We bowled first which has worked well for us all season and we bowled well.

“We still probably gave Wickford 30 runs more than what we should have done but Mike Lewis batted really well for us and it’s great to have him back in the side as he really strengthens it.

“Losing wickets regularly, we found ourselves nine wickets down still needing four to win.

“However, we managed to hold on with Nigel Holmes hitting the winning runs.”

Wickford were bowled out for 183 in their innings with opener Daniel Pryke top scoring with 39.

Richard Revell with 3-18 was the pick of Hadleigh’s bowlers and Jack Wagstaff chipped in with 3-46.

In reply, Michael Lewis top scored with 77 to help Hadleigh triumph despite some fine Wickford bowling which saw Pryke take 3-32 and Chirag Desai 3-36.

Defeat pushed Wickford down into the relegation zone but, at the other end of the table, the win saw Hadleigh move back up in to third.

They are now 13 points behind second-placed Buckhurst Hill and four ahead of in-form Southend & EMT.

Southend secured their fourth win in five games, beating Ardleigh Green by an emphatic 202 runs.

And that thrilled their skipper Joe Robbins.

“It was another excellent all round team performance from us,” said Robbins.

“After being stuck in on a damp wicket, to score 307 was a fantastic effort.

“Ollie Wagstaff and Sam Rowe both scored excellent 70s to carry on their good form, Phil Gray was good again for his 41 and Matt Wagstaff is in unbelievable form at the moment.

“His 62 not out off 30 balls was another superb innings.”

Southend’s bowlers then also impressed with the ball and Robbins is keen to continue his side’s run of good results as they strive to climb the table.

“We knew early wickets would take the game away from Ardleigh Green and at 50-6 we knew the game was over,” said Robbins.

“It was just about staying professional and we did this to eventually bowl them out for 105.

“We are in good form at the moment and we just hope we can keep this going in the last four games of the season.”

Southend made 307-7 in their innings with opener Oliver Wagstaff top scoring with 78.

Sam Rowe added 71, Matt Wagstaff 62 not out and Phil Gray 41 to put Southend in control.

Robbins then took centre stage with the ball, taking 6-35 to help his side secure another important win.