CANVEY Island secured one of their most important wins of the season as they defeated rivals Rayleigh in a battle at the foot of the T-Rippon Mid-Essex League Premier Division.

Ross Casson inspired his team with a fine display with bat and ball, as Canvey won by 62 runs at Smallgains Park.

Casson scored an unbeaten 60 and contributed 5-29 with the ball. There were also excellent displays from Laurence Shearcroft (86) and Ellis Skidmore (3-21).

And the Canvey skipper said he owed it to his team to put in a good display.

“We needed it to be honest,” said Casson.

“We had lost three on the bounce and were in the mix at the bottom with Rayleigh. We aren’t out of it yet by any means but it was a big result for us.

“I was pleased with my contribution as I have had a slow season this year and I owed it to the boys.

“It was a great day for us,” he added.

“We lost the toss and we thought the rain would come but the openers applied themselves well and we got a good score (231).

“I knew it was good and Rayleigh started well to be fair. But once we got into the middle order the spinners did the job.”

After being put into bat on a damp wicket Canvey reached 213-6 in a match reduced to 43 overs per side.

Rayleigh had made a fine start in their reply, reaching 70-1 off 10 overs but then Casson brought himself into the attack to fine effect, supported by Skidmore and Jamie Casson (2-32).

Rayleigh were all out for 151 despite a 60 from George Barker and 33 from Phil Everitt.

In Division Two, Chris Frost’s unbeaten 80 was in vain for Rayleigh against Ingatestone, as rain saw the game abandoned.

The 3s match against Ingatestone 2s was also abandoned, although the 4s did complete their match.

Hosting Boreham in Division Seven, Rayleigh scored 182-5 thanks to the efforts of Richard Verrinder (51) and John Wright (54).

Wright followed up his good batting performance with the ball, closing on 4-28 in a six-run victory.

The 5s were beaten by Rankins in Division Eight, despite the efforts of skipper Simon Lennox (50) and Steve Rothon (34).

The hosts passed this total in the 31st over for the loss of six wickets. Aby Jose took 3-29.

Also in Division Eight, Canvey 2s game was ended by the rain with honours about even at East Hanningfield & Great Burstead.

The home side reached 134-5 in 35 overs and the Islanders were 81-5 with 10 overs to go.

A young 6s side were well beaten by Writtle 3s in Division 10, who lost just one wicket chasing down a score of 87.