SHEPHERD NEAME ESSEX LEAGUE, DIVISION TWO

SECOND-PLACED Billericay opened up a four-point gap on promotion rivals Belhus after beating their the league leaders by 59 runs.

Belhus opted to field after winning the toss and made a good start, claiming three wickets for 10 runs, but the next six batsmen turned the innings round.

Wicketkeeper Christopher Tate scored 72 runs while skipper David Houghton (21), Andy Smith (33), Ross Poulton (19), Chris Horton (21) and Gary Hynes (15no) chipped in as the hosts reached 238 all out in 49.3.

Danny Norris (4-18) and Martin Guilbert (4-47) provided the biggest threat with the ball for Belhus.

The visitors’ reply suffered a similar start to Billericay’s with two wickets falling quickly.

Wicketkeeper Michael Fogg (69) steadied the ship and Danny Norris (26) and Billy Winter (22) chipped in.

But Gary Hynes (3-54), Poulton (2-34), Greg Hammond (1-12), Andy Smith (1-17) and Houghton (1-32) did the damage with the ball to bowl Belhus out for 179 in 45.1 overs.

It meant Belhus slipped from top to third, while Billericay moved up a place.

Leigh-on-Sea are fourth and 18 points behind Belhus following their six-wicket victory over hosts Stanford-le-Hope, who are ninth in the table.

Captin Michael Gray opened with 59 runs but Matthew Page (21), Marc Lewis (16) and Sachin Sewgobind (15) were the only others into double figures before the hosts were bowled out for 183 in 44.4 overs.

Alan van Lint (3-41) fared best with the ball and Daniel Cocking (2-24), Patrick Groves (2-35) and Iain McDionald (2-38) also got among the wickets for Leigh.

Kevin Sargent’s unbeaten 103 was the highlight of the Leigh reply, but van Lint scored 42 and Stuart Elliott 13 to help the visitors to a winning 185-4 in 27.2 overs.

Wickford are in fifth place following their 24-run home win over Ardleigh Green.

The hosts posted a target of 268-8 from their 50 overs and saw Gareth Wright (56no), Sam Oakes (44), Jack Cubitt (41) and Dean Etchells (29) offer restistance against an attack led by Ayaz Younis (3-34).

Reece Pinchback (4-43), Dean Etchells (2-27), Jamie Went (2-36) and Daniel Pryke (2-48) did the damage for Wickford as they bowled Ardleigh out for 244 in 48.4 overs, with Chris Cook faring best with 61 runs.

Horndon on the Hill are eighth in the table after losing by five wickets to hosts Gidea Park & Romford.

Tom Stone top-scored with 30 as Horndon were bowled out for 109 in 39.2 overs by an attack led by Ross Collard (4-19).

Awais Liaqat and Jeff West took a brace of wickets each but could not prevent Gidea Park replying with 110-5.