ROB Johnston’s unbeaten 89 helped unbeaten Old Southendian & Southchurch extend their lead at the topof Shepherd Neame Essex League Division Three with a three-wicket win over Westcliff-on-Sea.

Wicketkeeper Johnston opened for the Old Boys as they chased 175 for victory at Chalkwell Park and he batted throughout as the visitors got 176-7.

Westcliff’s top order had earlier struggled with the bat but the arrival of skipper Chris Gladwin (55) and Lewis Groves (50) helped them post 174 all out in 40.2 overs.

The Old Boys’ bowlers all chipped in, with Michael Bunce taking 3-33 and three others claiming a brace.

Max Craddock (17) kept Johnston company but Robinson (31) was the only other batsman into double figures, with Adam Hunt (4no) at the crease with Johnston at the end. Shahbaz Sattar (3-55) and Alex Hatton (3-69) did the damage with the ball.

“All the bowlers chipped in and Robert Johnston played a match-winning innings, which was good to see,” said Southend captain Aaron Lucas. “He has not had the best of starts to the season so it was good to see him back to his old self with the bat.

“All the games this year have not had overly dramatic scorelines and the difference has not been too much and everyone has put up a good fight.

“The pleasing thing is we seem to be coming out on the right side of things.”

Westcliff skipper Gladwin said: “It was a great game of cricket and we showed a lot of character and fight.

“The only disappointing thing against Old Southendian was to let them win because we wanted to win or get a draw to stop them moving too far ahead.”

Gladwin said poor shot selection had cost his side while batting but said Sattar and Hatton were “tremendous” with the ball.

Benfleet returned to winning ways and moved up to third in the table following their three-wicket victory over West Essex.

Skipper Gareth Steed flourished with 5-44 and Jamie Hodgson took 2-34 as the visitors bowled West Essex out for 193 in 45.4 overs. Omar Afzai (45) led the resistance and four other batsmen got into the 20s.

Benfleet’s winning reply was anchored by an unbeaten 90 from Gavin Blowes, who found support Rob Zammit (22), Steed (14) and Jamie Critchell (39) as the visitors posted 196-7 in 42 overs against an attack led by Zohair Jan (3-52).

“We have not been batting the best but Gavin was superb,” said a delighted Steed. “Their two opening bowlers are quite good and got rid of Reeve, but everyone just played around Gavin. It was the most mature innings I have ever seen from him.

“Jamie has also not batted much this season but did very well too. We held our nerve. In a few games this season we have had people who made starts but they haven’t gone on to make significant innings.

“This week Gavin went on and on and never looked like he was going to get out.

“We also bowled really well considering Paul Frensham was not available. I got five at the end which was not bad but Paul has been bowling so well it’s difficult to give yourself a few overs.”

Basildon & Pitsea suffered back-to-back defeats after losing by four wickets to Woodford Green at Mopsies Park.

Liam Rouse (46), Jon Bonnett (43) and Dean Bedford (31no) rescued the innings as Basildon were bowled out for 174, with Zain Ul-Abiddin taking 3-32 and Anthony Palmer 3-47.

Bedford (2-13) and Luke Daw (2-18) enjoyed success with the ball but it was not enough to stop Woodford replying with 177-6 thanks mainly to Saad Ijaz (72).

“The wheels have come off at the minute and nothing seems to be going our way,” lamented Basildon skipper Michael Gray.

“We were 18-4 at one point so we did well to get to 170 thanks to Liam and Jon. We were looking for 220 so I was quite happy to get to 174 after the start we had.

“But we never really got into them with the ball and dropped some catches.

“It’s quite disappointing at the moment because we started with two wins and a positive draw against Epping.

“But we lost by more than 100 runs to Walthamstow and have now had this defeat. Everyone has gone off the boil together.

“We beat Harold Wood in a Twenty20 game on Friday night and then just didn’t turn up on Saturday.”