WICKFORD head to Leigh this weekend determined to improve on their batting performance.

There were reversals in fortune for Leigh and Wickford in Shepherd Neame Essex League Division Two last weekend.

Wickford’s unbeaten start to the Division Two campaign was brought to an end by Oakfield Parkonians while Leigh enjoyed their first win since the opening day to move up to third in the table.

And Wickford captain Andy Baker believes a slight improvement in the batting department will be crucial if they are to improve.

“The last couple of games the batsmen haven’t fired and we have been short,” said Baker. “We did well last Saturday and were just a few runs short from winning.

“We know Leigh have some individual dangerous players when they get going but we need to stick to our game.

“I think this is the last 50 over game and then you will see the league settle down. Anyone can beat anyone as last week showed. We were convincing against Horndon and then lost to the bottom team. It’s an exciting league to be involved in.”

Leigh skipper Joe Sexton is another feeling confident ahead of the clash.

“We take it week by week,” said the captain, who missed last week’s win. “We know we can beat anyone.

“Wickford are strong but we have beaten them before.

“Availability is huge for us. After a few losses people can cry off but having that win allows us to get into a better mind-set and having people around is so important.”

Old Southendian & Southchurch are another team looking to hit back following a reverse.

Defeat against Leigh followed two consecutive wins. But club captain Matt Wilson remains pleased at their current position.

“We are in a fairly decent position,” he said, ahead of tomorrow’s match at Harlow. “If you would have offered us this amount after four games it is a good total.

“As a team we are working and training hard to improve the batting. A lot of it is down to form. Getting out of bad form is hard but one good knock can change that.

“In terms of Harlow, Andy [McGarry] and Ahmed [Khawaja] played there for five or six seasons so they know the club and pitch well. I hope that works in our favour.”

Horndon-on-the-Hill have won three of their four matches so far this season and sit in the promotion places ahead of play.

They travel to an Oakfield Parkonians side who claimed their first win of the season last time out.