Hadleigh & Thundersley started their new season with a comfortable six-wicket win over visitors Gidea Park.

The hosts won the toss and put Gidea Park, who were relegated from the Premier Division last summer, in to bat.

Openers Russ Collard (24) and Luke Baker (18) quickly fell to Tim Lowes (2-25), before Joe Robbins run out Baber Choudhry (31).

But Chris Collier (49) and Asim Razzaq (49) added some substance to the innings before falling to Adam Soilleux (1-25) and Robbins (1-65) respectively. Gidea Park’s 50-over innings closed on 219-5.

Robbins hit 27 but saw opening partner Paul Tibbenham bowled by Jakk Carver for a golden duck with eight runs on the board.

But Jarryd Blake (51) and Dan Boughtwood (65no) steadied the Hadleigh ship, with Sam Rowe (35) and Soilleux (25no) keeping him company.

Carver, Ejaz Khan, Baber Choudhry and Russ Collard took a wicket each as Hadleigh replied with 223-4 off 40.2 overs.

Orsett defeated visitors Hornchurch by 60 runs in a timed win.

The hosts were bowled out for 280 in their 50 overs and suffered an early wobble when Philip Keeping went for a duck with one run on the board.

But Jason Plom hit 105 and there was good support from Stuart Moon (43), who steadied the innings after two wickets fell in quick succession.

One of those was Mohammed Ahktar’s, who hit 40 batting at number three. Billy Gordon claimed 5-49 for Hornchurch.

Visiting openers Paul Murray (31) and Gordon (38) kept the scoreboard ticking over but four wickets fell for 24 runs to hamper the run chase.

Mark Whitlock (56) and Danny Evans (36) got things back on track before Hornchurch were bowled out for 220 in 45.1 overs.

George Pavitt (4-39) did the main damage, with Philip Landman taking 2-43, Gaurav Bhandar 2-29, Shahid Khan 1-29 and Ahktar 1-49.