SOUTHEND & EMT suffered a narrow one wicket defeat against Premier Division leaders Chelmsford.

Southend made 135 at Southchurch Park before a Chelmsford side featuring Essex duo Matt Dixon and Aaron Beard reached the required total for the loss of nine wickets.

And Southend bowler Adam Rendall was left suffering mixed emotions at the close of play.

“We played a very strong Chelmsford side who have looked very good this year,” said Rendall, who took 4-44.

“We batted first on a good cricket wicket.

“But our top order got some good balls and the odd rough decision and we collapsed to 130 odd all out.

“So if the challenge wasn’t great enough to get our first win against a very good side, this made it that much harder.

“However, we went out to bowl with the attitude of ‘let’s give it all we’ve got’ to ensure we don’t come off the field wondering ‘what if?’ “Joe (Robbins) and myself opened up and started aggressively.

“We managed to grab a couple of early wickets and we kept the intensity up through the 40 overs to get them nine down.

“It was a game that we looked down and out, but somehow managed to give ourselves a chance of winning.

“Chelmsford managed to get over the line much to the disappointment of the team as like myself, we thought we were about to do something really special”

But, despite being disappointed by the result, Rendall was also encouraged by Southend’s display.

“It was a great game of cricket, the sort of game we all play the sport for.

“Out of our four games, we have put ourselves in a position where we could have won two or three of them.

“This is a good thing but at some point we will need to convert these chances.”

Southend - who remain second from bottom - batted first and were bowled out for 130 by the unbeaten league leaders.

Captain Joe Robbins top scored with 48 while Harry Ridgewell added 25 and opening batsman Numan Khan 20.

With the ball, Rendall and Robbins both bowled tirelessly for Southend.

Rendall took 4-44 and Robbins 2-67.

Michael Gridley with 1-14 and Harry Ridgewell 1-7 from six overs but Chelmsford just managed to make it home, for the loss of nine wickets.

Southend wicket-keeper took six catches during the visitors’ innings at Southchurch Park.

But Chelmsford’s last two batsmen - Ben Waring and Anthony Hill - dug deep to see Chelmsford secure a narrow victory.

As a result, Southend - who were promoted from Division One on the final day of last season - are still waiting for their first win at the higher level.

However, their determined display on Saturday showed they are more than capable of competing with the top teams in the Premier Division.

Southend will now be eager to produce another solid display when they travel to Upminster - the only team below them in the table - in an important weekend encounter.