HADLEIGH & Thundersley suffered a 20 run defeat against Shepherd Neame Essex League Premier Division title contenders Wanstead & Snaresbrook.

Hadleigh went into the game hoping to secure a shock success having won three of their previous games.

But skipper Richard Revell was ultimately left feeling frustrated as his side just fell short.

“It was frustrating as I know we can bat better than we did but it was good to see we can compete with the likes of Wanstead, who are a very strong team in this league,” said Revell.

“It was a good game for the spectators but, unfortunately, the result didn’t go our way.

“We lost the toss and were put into the field on another very hot Saturday.

“We responded really well and picked up early wickets and had them 97/8.

“However, their captain dug in and got a good 51 to get them up to 166 all out.

“In reply, we started poorly and found ourselves 35/4.

“We made a couple of small partnerships but apart from Ashley Bennett (39) no one really performed with the bat and we were bowled out for 146.”

The defeat kept Hadleigh eighth in the standings, 16 points above the relegation zone with just six games to go.

Hadleigh - who were promoted from Division One last season - bowled first at the weekend and dismissed Wanstead for 166.

Richard Revell took 4-27, while Haider Ali Syed Zaidi took 3-23.

Adam Soilleux (1-16), Oliver Smith (1-21) and Adam Dobson (1-50) also chipped in with the ball for Hadleigh.

But their efforts ultimately went unrewarded as Hadleigh fell just short with the bat.

Hadleigh started their innings in sluggish fashion and found themselves 35/4 after a succession of early wickets.

Ashley Bennett - who was batting at number six - steadied the ship before being dismissed for 39.

Bennett’s wicket was the ninth to fall before second-placed Wanstead wrapped things up to continue their push for the title as they remain just two points behind table-topping Hornchurch.

However, Hadleigh picked up five points for their troubles and will now be keen to bounce back when they make the short trip to Billericay this weekend.

Billericay - who sit immediately above Hadleigh in the Premier Division standings - are 10 points clear of their next opponents, making Saturday’s encounter a crunch clash for both teams as they bid to beat the drop and avoid a return to Division One.