BENFLEET and Old Southendian & Southchurch continue to hold the Division Two promotion places after extending their 100 per cent winning records.

Rob Zammit’s Benfleet beat South Woodford by seven wickets, while Old Boys defeated Horndon-on-the-Hill by five wickets.

And Old Southendian captain Andy McGarry was delighted to notch a third consecutive victory to remain hot on Benfleet’s heels.

McGarry said: “It was another great bowling and fielding display.

“To go through the first three league games with no team scoring more than 140 against us is an amazing achievement, especially with two of those games being at Garon Park.

“This has set the platform for the batsmen to knock the runs off under little or no pressure, although we have lost a few wickets along the way.”

Just three Horndon batsmen were able to reach double figures as Old Southendian’s bowlers shone.

McGarry boasted bowling figures of 4-27, while Ahmed Khawaja, Matthew Austin and James Bunce were also among the wickets as Horndon were all out for 136.

And Old Boys reached their target for the loss of five wickets. Joshua Perry top scored with 31.

Benfleet continue to lead the way in their first season back in Division Two and they brushed South Woodford aside.

Ben Munday claimed a five-wicket haul to put Benfleet in the driving seat, while Callum Wheeler and Stephen Reeve boasted three and two scalps respectively as South Woodford were all out for 112.

And Benfleet triumphed for the loss of just three wickets, with Munday unbeaten on 41.

However, Wickford lost to Old Brentwoods by four wickets.

Captain Chirag Desai hit a half-century as Wickford were skittled out for 114.

But Old Brentwoods were still able to overcome Wickford for the loss of six wickets.

In Division Three, Westcliff were eight-wicket winners against Epping.

And captain Peter Barnes was left delighted.

Barnes said: “It was a good win. Epping got off to a reasonably solid start but having Sherwin Stanley and Tom Baker back in the side made a big difference and we picked up regular wickets to end up bowling them out for 115.

“Epping’s openers bowled well and Charlie Lockhart, who has been very solid and scoring runs so far this season, fell cheaply.

“Lewis Wright played aggressively and took the game away from them with myself at the other end ticking the scoring over for a comfortable win in the end.”

Stanley took 5-35 as Epping were bowled out for 115.

And Westcliff were able to remain second in the standings as they lost only two wickets.

Opening batsman Wright led the way to victory by hitting 70 runs, while skipper Barnes was unbeaten on 31.

Meanwhile, Leigh beat Ardleigh Green & Havering-Atte-Bower by 151 runs.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, Leigh completed their innings at the crease with 291/7.

Opener Jon Edwards was in particularly fine form with the bat as he fell just six runs short of a century.

Wicketkeeper Dean Waller and Matthew Wagstaff scored 55 and 43 runs respectively.

And Ardleigh Green could not get close to Leigh’s total as they were all out for 140.

Leigh captain Joe Sexton took 4-22 to ensure his side got back to winning ways.

Table-topping Stanford-le-Hope lost to Goresbrook by 69 runs.