BILLERICAY captain Dave Houghton says his side will have to do something “pretty spectacular” to miss out on promotion after a fine six-wicket win over Leigh-on-Sea on Saturday.

The result sees Billericay move 47 points ahead of third-placed Belhus, after they were surprisingly beaten by Horndon-on-the-Hill.

Billericay put Leigh into bat first and it proved to be a wise decision, as they crumbled to 137 all out in 40 overs.

Paul Martin’s unbeaten 72 and Gary Hynes’ four-wicket haul were the highlights from Saturday for Billericay, as they totalled 141-4 in just over 26 overs.

And the skipper said: “The results at the weekend couldn't have gone any better for us.

“All the bowlers stood up on an uneven surface and promotion wise, we would have to do something pretty spectacular to blow it now.

“However, I’ve played and lost in a game where we needed two runs off seven balls with six wickets left, so I know first-hand that it’s not done until it’s done.

“We will go out there and try to chase the title. With 25 points being the maximum we obviously need other results to go our way to have a chance.”

And the result also leaves them just 12 points off Fives & Heronians after they were held to a draw at Wickford.

Wickford lost the toss and, batting first, made an impressive total with Jona Sammutt making 101 from 101 balls, with Chirag Desai (49) and David Cole (45) also providing good support.

Fives responded well, although four players started impressively but failed to make it past 40, and they closed at 219-9 in 40 overs.

Desai (5-77) was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts.

Stanford-le-Hope picked up what could prove to be a crucial win at the bottom of the league, as they beat Ardleigh Green.

Stanford lost the toss but thrived with the ball, as Adam Knight (5-49) and Dylan Eginton (4-26) took the majority of the wickets. And the away side passed the total with the loss for seven wickets, with Sachin Sewgobind (31) top-scoring.

Horndon beat Belhus comfortably by 108 runs, having won the toss and choosing to bat first.

Jeff West (54), Jack Walsh and Connor Price (both 53) impressed with Shahbaz Iqbal (46) helped lift Horndon to 272-9, with Belhus’ Danny Norris (5-79) the pick of the bowlers. And Belhus could not compete with that strong batting performance, crumbling to 164 all out.