CANVEY Island Cricket Club captain Ross Casson believes a heavy opening day defeat set his team up well for a 12-run win over Springfield on Saturday.

Casson’s team were comprehensively beaten by Goresbrook in their first match since promotion, scoring just 65 to lose by 110 runs.

But Canvey hit back in fine fashion in their first away match of term, deservedly taking victory at Springfield thanks to an impressive display with the ball - Jamie Casson (3-26) and Dan Lee (2-29) the pick of the attack.

And Ross Casson says he can’t imagine many other tests will be as tough as the one his men just surpassed.

“We didn’t do so well in the first game but Goresbrook were a good side,” he said. “When we bowled against them we didn’t think much of their batting.

“We were 4-4 and they shocked us with that but on Saturday it helped us.

“We won the toss and batted and were 60-1 off 11 overs. They pulled it back and we closed on 163 which wasn’t such a bad score.

“They thought they had won. We are newly promoted and they have been champions in the past but we showed some real resilience.

“I don’t think we will face a side as strong as this this season but staying up remains our primary aim.

“We are targeting some good home form and we need to perform on Saturday against Old Chelmsfordians. People don’t like coming to Canvey so we feel like we have a two wicket or 50-run bonus ahead of matches.

“We now need to make the most of that.”

Chris Sutherby (47 not out) and Jamie Casson (40) top scored with the bat for Canvey.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Rayleigh lost against Old Chelmsfordians by 13 runs.

Jason Ox (68) and Joel Barnett (42) top scored after an abysmal start which saw them at 16-4.

Other results: Division Two: Eastwood 165-9 (Brett Deeming 4-37) beat Terling 150-10 by 15 runs, Rayleigh II 262-8 beat Little Waltham 232-10 by 30 runs.

Division Three: Rayleigh Fairview 164-6 beat Broomfield 161-10 by four wickets, Noak Hill Taverners 184-10 lost against Springfield III 231-8 by 47 runs Division Four: South Woodham Ferrers 111-4 (Ryan Permanand 46 not out) beat Great Waltham II 109-10 by six wickets, Rankins 241-2 (Adam Warner 154 not out) beat Willow Herbs 178-9 by 63 runs.

Division Five: Great Wakering 161-9 (Dean Overall 52) beat Rainham II 160-9 by one wicket, St John’s Billericay 144-10 (Neal Hadgraft 57) beat Rayleigh III 103-10 by 41 runs.

Division Six: Rayleigh Fairview II 71-10 lost against Great Baddow III 267-10 by 196 runs, Noak Hill Taverners II 212-7 beat South Weald II 210-10 by two runs, Eastwood II 230-6 (Martin Cockell 69 not out) beat Bentley III 124-10 by 106 runs.

Division Seven: Rayleigh IV 88-3 (Mark Bailey 40 not out) beat Old Southendian & Southchurch 87-10 by seven wickets.

Division Eight: Canvey Island II 194-3 (Neil Casson 60) were beaten by Navestock II 196-2, Rankins II 147-3 (Ewen Hardie 53 not out) beat Chignal 144-10 by seven wickets, Rayleigh V 193-5 (Richard Verrinder 71) beat Willow Herbs II 93-10 by 100 runs.

Division Nine: Rankins III 113-10 were beaten by Little Baddow II 286-3 by 173 runs, Eastwood III 117-10 lost against Wickham II 119-3 by seven wickets.

Division 10: South Woodham Ferrers 152-7 lost against Hornchurch Athletic IV 192-6, Rayleigh VI 171-6 beat Galleywood III 167-6, St John’s Billericay 198-5 beat Broomfield II 191-9.