HADLEIGH & Thundersley stayed top of the Shepherd Neame Essex League Division One table despite suffering their first defeat of the season.

Hadleigh were beaten by 72 runs by third placed Harlow at John Burrows.

But Richard Revell’s side remain top of the table.

Harlow batted first after winning the toss and finished their innings on 209/9 from 50 overs.

Nicky Baxter, batting at number seven, top scored with 65 while captain Rehman Ahmed added 36.

Anthony Grosvenor, with 3-40, was the pick of Hadleigh’s bowlers while Richard Revell took 2-30 and Oliver Smith 2-41.

However, in reply, Hadleigh were dismissed for just 137.

Number three batsman Kevin Renecke top scored with 31 and Sam Handley added 29.

But no other batsman was able to score more than 11 as Hadleigh slumped to their first defeat of the season.

Despite the setback, Hadleigh remain five points clear of second placed Harold Wood.

However, it was a far more successful day for Billericay as they saw off Woodford Wells by 27 runs.

Woodford put Billericay into bat after winning the toss but could quickly have been regretting that decision.

Billericay opener David Hinnigan scored a fantastic 121with David Houghton adding 67.

Ross Poulton hit 48 not out off of just 28 balls in an innings which included three sixes.

Woodford also began their innings strongly with opener Tanveer Shah hitting a fine 109.

Mitch McGee added 38 and Nabel Shaikh 30 not out but Woodford were unable to reach their required total.

Robert Rayner, with 3-36, was the pick of Billericay’s bowlers while Andy Smith took 2-33 and Ross Poulton 2-50 to secure a hard fought win which saw them move up to fourth in the table, just five points below the promotion places.

Elsewhere, Orsett & Thurrock were beaten by eight wickets against Buckhurst Hill.

Orsett batted first but were bowled out for just 103.

Umar Ayub top scored with 39 but no other batsman was able to score more than 16.

Will Stoner did the the damage for Buckhurst Hill, with 4-17, before they secured victory for the loss of just two wickets.

Paul Bennett took 2-12 off five overs, but Buckhurst were still able to triumph.