WESTCLIFF secured a six-wicket win over Basildon & Pitsea to claim local bragging rights.

The victory allowed Westcliff to bounce back to winning ways after suffering two consecutive defeats in Shepherd Neame Essex League Division Three.

And Westcliff captain Peter Barnes was pleased to see his side come out on top.

Barnes said: “It was a good win for us as Basildon & Pitsea have had a lot of success against us over the last few years.

“David Hewitt bowled really well considering he wasn’t feeling well.

“Alex Portugal batted superbly, along with Adam Pickering.

“It was a shame that Alex got out before the end because he showed a lot of maturity in his innings and is only 17 so he will keep on improving and that is good for Westcliff.

“Both sides have had an up-and-down season but I would say we bowled better than them on the day and thankfully two of our top order batsmen knuckled down and got runs.”

Basildon & Pitsea elected to bat after winning the toss at Chalkwell Park but the lower order struggled to pick up runs.

Steven Ayres and Anant Bhake fell for single figures while Muhammad Zahid was out for a duck.

Mike Blerkom top scored with a half-century while Craig Thompson contributed 34 as the visitors were all out for 203.

Hewitt was the pick of the Westcliff bowlers, taking 3-24.

The home side reached their target for the loss of just four wickets.

Portugal batted impressively before falling for 60 while Pickering remained unbeaten on 67.

Bradley Staff was the most dangerous Basildon & Pitsea bowler, taking 3-47.

Meanwhile, Benfleet dropped out of the promotion places after losing to table-topping Old Brentwoods by 15 runs.

Ben Munday and Callum Wheeler took three wickets each as Old Brentwoods finished on 272 all out.

And although Samuel Coelho scored 81, his efforts proved to be in vain as Benfleet finished on 257/7.

Benfleet have been replaced in second place by Woodford Green, who were four-wicket winners against Stanford-le-Hope.

Jack Carter scored 51 runs, as Stanford-le-Hope posted 182, and also took a wicket.