CRICKET: Hadleigh & Thundersley suffered a 109 run defeat against Premier Division leaders Hornchurch on Saturday.

Hornchurch batted first after winning the toss and scored 233 all out.

Lesbourne Edwards hit a fine 100 while Haider Ali Syed Zaidi was the pick of Hadleigh’s bowlers as he took an impressive 6/36.

But, in reply, sixth placed Hadleigh were dismissed for just 124 with Roy Smith top scoring with 34.

In Division One, fourth placed Billericay drew at Belhus who sit immediately above them in the table.

Billericay were put into bat after losing the toss and scored 303/5 with Raynard Van Tonder hitting an impressive 149.

Belhus then scored 222/5 with Ross Poulton and Arjun Bhardwaj both taking two wickets each.

In Division Two, bottom of the table Wickford boosted their survival hopes with a 64 run win against seventh placed Old Southendian & Southchurch.

Wickford batted first after winning the toss and scored 207 all out.

Opener Billy Corps scored 55 while Sam Oakes added 54.

Ahsan Yousaf did most damage with the ball for Old Southendian, taking 6/49 before his side were bowled out for 143.

Opener Matthew Darvill led the way with 38 but fine bowling from Cameron Brown (5/39) and Dean Etchells (3/30) saw Wickford come out on top.

Wickford are now 12 points behind second from bottom Westcliff who lost by 72 runs against Orsett & Thurrock.

Orsett scored 274/8 before Westcliff were bowled out for 202 with Hammad Ul Hassan hitting 94 and Henry Paris 40.

Elsewhere, Benfleet drew with Oakfield Parkonians.

Benfleet scored 185/5 after being put into bat with Ben Munday leading the way with 54.

In reply, Oakfield ended on 150/8 as Benfleet stayed eighth in the table, five points above the drop zone.

In Division Three, Leigh on Sea secured an eight wicket win against Newham.

Newham opted to bat first and scored 201/8.

James Pettitt took 4/26 with the ball for Leigh who then reached the required total for the loss of just two wickets.

Dean Waller scored an impressive 110 not out while James Spencer added 55 not out to see Leigh home.

In Division Four, Southend & EMT saw off Redbridge by eight wickets.

Redbridge were bowled out for 83, with Matt Mohan taking six wickets, before Southend cruised home for the loss of just two wickets and are now sixth in the table.