JOE Sexton was full of praise for his brother Jac after he stepped up to inspire Leigh to victory against Old Southendian & Southchurch.

Jac struck 72 in Joe’s absence to guide Leigh to an 83 run win in Shepherd Neame Essex League Division Two.

And Joe was pleased with Leigh’s display against the Old Boys.

“If you get over 200 then that is good and we wanted to defend a reasonable score,” he said. “My brother scored the runs, which was nice as I know he can do that when I am not there.

“Jac has just returned after a few years out and has primarily been rugby orientated. But he scored a very good 72 and I hope he continues to enjoy his cricket for us.”

Leigh elected to bat first and didn’t get off to the best start. Jack Wagstaff and Simon Burch both scored just one as Jon Edwards (35) was cut adrift at the top of the order.

Big hitting Dean Waller managed just 16 before the middle order came to Leigh’s rescue.

Prashanth Natarajan scored 40 before he was run out, building up a healthy partnership with Sexton as Leigh declared on 214/9.

Former Essex cricketer Andrew McGarry took 4-39, while Matt Austin and Ahmed Khawaja took a brace of wickets apiece.

Old Southendian got off to a less than auspicious start as Connor Mortlock (two) and Max Craddock (eight) departed.

Only Khawaja (33) and McGarry (31) made any inroads with the bat as Southendian scored 131.

Ben Giles took 5-31 and Theodore Foley took three wickets.

The result lifts Leigh three points above their opponents into third place.

Wickford were beaten by bottom club Oakfield Parkonians by a single wicket.

Having been put into bat Wickford were indebted to the early runs of Dale Kinsey (46) while Adam Deller’s 30 anchored the innings.

But at 86/8 a positive outcome looked less than likely.

In stepped captain Andy Baker - batting at number 10 - and he and Deller took Wickford onto 153 before the next wicket fell, Baker ending on 46 from 53 balls.

In response, Wickford took wickets steadily throughout Old Parks’ spell in the middle but they were unable to claim the final wicket as the visitors earned a narrow one wicket victory at the close.

Baker (3-19), Dean Etchells (3-43) and David Cole (3-53) were the wicket takers.