SOUTHEND & EMT suffered their second defeat in succession, losing by 48 runs at Woodford Wells.

Second-placed Southend started the Division One season with six successive wins before the two recent setbacks.

And skipper Joe Robbins felt poor batting was to blame for the latest reverse, “Saturday was a disappointing afternoon for us,” said Robbins.

“We bowled and fielded pretty well, and I reckon 260 was about par score on a pretty flat deck with short boundaries.

“But unfortunately we lost too many wickets up front and realistically didn’t give ourselves a chance.

“Dan Ingham batted really well to give us a slim chance, but ultimately it was too little too late.”

Southend elected to field after winning the toss and saw their hosts end their innings on 265-8.

Robbins with 2-33 was the pick of the Southend bowlers before his side started to struggle with the bat.

None of the opening top four batsman were able to score more than 17 runs before Robbins took control, top scoring with 74 before he was caught and bowled by Brenton Thompson.

Number eight batsman Daniel Ingham then chipped in with 47 not out, but by then the damage had already been done as Southend were bowled out for 217.

It was also a bad afternoon for Hadleigh & Thundersley who slipped down into the relegation zone after suffering a 128-run defeat at home to Shenfield.

Hadleigh put Shenfield into bat after winning the toss and saw them score 258-7.

David Williams and Austin Holmes both took two wickets each before Hadleigh were dismissed for just 130.

A shaky start saw the home-side reduced to 37-6 before Adam Dobson hit 43 and Nigel Holmes 36 to restore some pride for Hadleigh.

This weekend, sees Southend looking to get back to winning ways against leaders Hornchurch while Hadleigh travel to fifth-placed Harlow.