SHEPHERD NEAME ESSEX LEAGUE, DIVISION ONE

SOUTHEND & EMT skipper Joe Robbins labelled his side’s five-wicket win against Orsett as one of the most pleasing of the season so far.

The triumph kept Southend second in the Division One standings.

And Robbins was delighted by the manner of the success.

“It was a really professional win and probably up there with the most pleasing of the year,” said Robbins.

“They started well with the bat but our spinners bowled brilliantly to peg it back and Dan Ingham mopped up the tail nicely, so to bowl them out for 192 on a really good wicket was really pleasing.

“With the bat, Phil Gray and Ross Daynes put on 80 odd for the second wicket to give us a great platform and from them on Ollie Wagstaff and Sam Rowe both batted really sensibly to get us over the line.

“All in all it was a really good day for us.”

Orsett batted first after winning the toss and were bowled out for 192, with Dan Ingham taking 4-59 and Michael Gridley 3-30.

In reply, Phil Gray top-scored for Southend with 46 while Robbins finished on 38 not out.

Opener Ross Daynes scored 34 and Sam Rowe 32 to help Southend come out on top against their bottom-of-the-table hosts.

Southend are now 19 points clear of third-placed Shenfield but, at the other end of the table, Hadleigh & Thundersley are nervously looking over their shoulders following a 71-run defeat to Hainault & Clayhall left them just three points above the drop zone.

Hainault batted first after winning the toss and made 228-9 in their 50 overs.

Captain Adam Soilleux led the way with 3-30 while Adam Dobson took 2-36 and Kellon Carmichael 2-56.

Carmichael also impressed with the bat, top-scoring with 57 but no other batsman scored more than 25 as Hadleigh were dismissed for just 157, much to the disappointment of bowler David Williams.

“We bowled well at the start but we dropped their opener twice, once on 20 and once on 60 and he went on to make 90-odd,” said Williams.

“That was crucial really as Hainault batted well to reach 228, which was probably above par to be honest. We never really got going with the bat and lost wickets at regular intervals.

“It wasn’t a great day really and it’s only because of results going our way elsewhere that we find ourselves outside the relegation zone.

“We know as a side we can perform a lot better though, and will need to between now and the end of season.”