RAYLEIGH Fairview extended their lead at the top of T.Rippon Mid-Essex League Division Three to a staggering 40 points with a fine 83-run win over South Woodham Ferrers.

Batting first, the leaders adapted well to a slow, low-bouncing wicket to total 168-8 from their 45 overs.

With batting hard work, openers Nigel Worship and Gareth Compton both did well to make 36 apiece.

Spencer Collins then added 44 of his own to raise Fairview's total to a respectable level.

South Woodham Ferrers' reply was a short-lived affair, with Fairview's bowlers literally ripping through their top order.

Tim Felstead took 3-20 from his 12 over spell, while Jamie Lawson added 3-12 from 6.2 overs to complete the carnage.

Only a semblance of late-order resistance lifted the host's total to 85 all out.

Elsewhere in Division Three, Rayleigh lost by two wickets to Boreham in a high-scoring battle, while Pegasus & Corringham II were beaten by 79 runs at Terling to leave them in seventh place.

Saturday's good weather enabled the league to complete a full programme of matches for the first time in weeks, and Pegasus & Corringham took advantage of this in the Premier Division, beating Hatfield Peverel by four wickets to continue their mid-season renaissance.

Stock and Ekco Monarchs & Trojans failed to take advantage of the improved weather, as both lost.

In Division One, Hockley beat bottom side Great Burstead by 107 runs to climb to third in the table and maintain their hopes of gaining promotion.

Rankins are second in Division Four after thrashing rock-bottom Eastwood by 131 runs, while sixth-placed Ekco Monarchs & Trojans II went down to a 101-run defeat at home to Galleywood II.

Bluehouse are up to third in Division Five after winning a tight, keenly fought battle against promotion rivals Springfield III.

Batting first, Springfield made steady progress, with openers Southwell (33) and Solomon (27) doing well.

Later, Copland (37) and Clancy (30) gave the innings some late impetus, but Andy Flint (4-40) and Jon Wing both produced fine spells of bowling to restrict the host's total to 182-8.

Despite losing openers Cooper and Farley early in the piece, Bill Lovatt (78) and Nigel Pegg (37) soon began to gain control of affairs.

Not even a mini-collapse sparked by Southwell, who took four wickets, could stop Bluehouse reaching their target with five balls to spare.

Top side Rettendon continued their good form with a 36-run win over South Weald.

Having won the toss and elected to field first, Weald looked as if they had made the right decision when three of Rettendon's first four batsmen departed for ducks.

However, Plummer (85) held the innings together, ably supported by Dan Roworth (18), Nick Hill (34) and Luke Snelling (18), to help Rettendon to an unlikely 211-8.

Bowlers Martin Everitt (3-47) and Marcus Plummer (2-28) then helped to restrict the Weald reply to 175 all out, with only Haddack (39) and Warne (44 not out) showing any real resistance.

Into Division Six and Rayleigh II remain top of the table after a thrilling tie with second-placed Brookweald II.

Both sides put everything into their match, with each team totalling 203 from their allotted 45 overs.

Rayleigh Fairview II edged up to fifth with a 13-run win over South Woodham Ferrers II.

Captain Nigel Warren made 72 and Andrew Williamson 41 as Fairview totally a competitive 225-8.

Nick Moore's 4-47 ensured the Ferrers' reply came up just short on 212-8, despite 51 from Hibbart, 45 from Pritchard and 44 from Stevens.

Elsewhere, Foulness beat Roxwell Blues by four wickets in a low-scoring game played on a difficult surface.

Blues batted first, with Joe Smith (2-23) and Graham Smith (2-26) helping to restrict the home side to 137-7.

Foulness threatened to make a mess of their reply, but Mark King (85) and Ian Rayment (13) shared a 50-partnership to row their side home.

Hockley II are top of Division Seven after thrashing struggling Great Burstead II by seven wickets.

Elsewhere, Rettendon II beat Broomfield II by a comfortable 45 runs to cement their place in mid-table.

Batting first, Baker (58) and Hunt (43) put on 78 for the first wicket before Thomas (61) helped lead Rettendon to an imposing 222-7.

T Everitt then ripped through the Broomfield order, taking a career-best 7-40, while D Abrehart (2-48) also weighed-in to ensure the visitors held on for victory.

St John's Billericay are still top of Division Eight, despite going down to a disappointing 34 run defeat at second-placed Great Baddow II.

Both Eastwood II and Ekco Monarchs & Trojans III remain rooted in the relegation places as both lost at the weekend, to Sandon Sports II and Burnham Sports II respectively.

Into Division Nine and Canvey Island II are top by 27 points after thrashing Writtle II by 154 runs.

Rayleigh III are in danger of slipping into the relegation dogfight after losing at home to Rayne II by two wickets, while Pegasus & Corringham III already look odds-on for the drop.

Bluehouse II and Hockley III were both victorious in Division Ten, as were Ekco Monarchs & Trojans IV, who beat South Woodham Ferrers III.