OLD Southendian and Southchurch suffered their first defeat of the season on Saturday, losing to fellow early pace-setters Harlow.

Both sides went in to the game having won their opening two matches.

But it was Harlow who came out on top, winning by 44 runs at their Marigolds ground.

The home side won the toss and opted to bat, making 261-8.

Zach Dunkley was the most impressive Southendian bowler, taking three wickets for 67 runs, while both Michael Gridley and Adam Hunt both took two wickets.

However, their side started sluggishly with the bat and found themselves 47-3 following the dismissal of opener Matt Johnson for 14.

Chris Bunce then steadied the ship with a solid 51 and was well supported by Aaron Lucas with 39 to get Southendian back in to contention.

But they were unable to fully recover and were eventually bowled out for 217 in 45 overs.

Westcliff were far happier though after returning to win-ning ways with a convincing seven-wicket triumph at Horndon on the Hill.

Having won the toss and decided to bat, Horndon hit 182 all out.

Mike Canavon top-scored with 38, while opener Liam Hubbard scored 33.

Westcliff’s Graham Cox took three wickets for 25 runs and then saw his side cruise past the required total.

Opener Jonathan Pratt got Westcliff off to a solid start with 39 before Paul Abbott, with 50 not out, and Ben Leyshon, with 48 not out, saw the visitors record a comfortable win as they bounced back from last weekend’s defeat to Leigh on Sea.

Wickford were not so fortunate though after being narrowly edged out by just one wicket against Walthamstow.

Wickford batted first and made 233-9 from their allocated 50 overs.

Opener Tanvir Alam led the way with 84 before Robert Rollins scored 43 and Chirag Desai 33.

But, in reply, Walthamstow passed that total for the loss of nine wickets thanks to 133 from their opener Jamie Glenn.

No other batsmen made higher than 24 for Walthamstow, while Asif Abbass impressed with the ball for Wickford as he took four wickets for 38 runs.

However, it was Walthamstow who still came out on top.

Stanford le Hope were also celebrating after recording their first victory of the season as they saw off Hutton by three wickets at the Polo Field Ground.

Hutton won the toss and opted to bat but were bowled out for just 182 before Stanford passed that total for the loss of seven wickets.

Southend picked up their first league of the win since being promoted last summer by beating Leigh on Sea.

The Seasiders travelled to Chalkwell Park and were bowled out for 209 in 49.1 overs.

But any hopes Leigh had of picking up a second league victory of the term were crushed when they were bowled out for 134 in 30.1 overs to give Southend a 75-run win.