BILLERICAY captain Lee Knight is not underestimating the significance of the upcoming run of matches as the Shepherd Neame Essex League reverts to the 50/50 format.

Southend are the visitors to Billericay Cricket Club tomorrow in the first of the 50/50 matches format - which sees reduced bonus points on offer for losing teams.

A wretched start to the Premier Division season has left them rock bottom with four defeats and a draw from their five games to date.

And Knight is hoping to pile on the misery for their near neighbours, as they bid to respond to defeat against another local rival - Hadleigh & Thundersley - last time out.

“I wouldn’t say it was a must win but obviously given Southend’s position and the fact they are still searching for their first win it’s a game we have targeted as a potential win,” said Knight.

“This spell is very important for us. You don’t get as many bonus points as in the timed format so this is where the league table starts to take shape.

“As a team, we enjoy the 50/50 format as we feel it plays to our strengths and the bowling depth we have can play a part.

“Fingers crossed in the coming weeks we can register some positive results.”

Hadleigh & Thundersley won their first match of term last week - beating Billericay by 101 runs to move off the foot of the standings.

This week they make the short trip to Shenfield, another team with just one win under their belt this term.

And opening batsman Olly Smith is hopeful of more points on the road tomorrow.

He said: “We know we can compete at this level, especially with the ball, but have been lacking a bit of confidence in our batting.

“A few batsmen have found some good form and the return of players from university has strengthened our line-up so we’re feeling very confident going into the weekend.

“Shenfield are a well-established side within the Premier Division and have a few county players when available that can strengthen their line-up. They are struggling for form this year and lost to Billericay a few weeks back but at this standard we won’t be taking any team lightly.

“The 50/50 format suits our team as we don’t rely on two or three players to bowl all of our overs and have eight different options.

“We feel confident that in this format with fewer bonus points available that we can pick up enough wins to put us in a really strong position going into the last four timed games.”