LEE Knight admitted to being disappointed after Billericay were condemned to a second consecutive Premier Division defeat.

Billericay suffered a 74-run loss to Hornchurch at Harrow Lodge Park.

And Knight felt losing quick wickets proved to be decisive.

The Billericay captain said: “Overall, I’m disappointed with the result.

“We won the toss and were probably a little unlucky to only take two wickets in the first session.

“But we battled back well after lunch and we felt 201 was a target we could chase.

“At 77/3 we seemed to be in control, but we then lost a flurry of wickets for not many runs and that all but sealed our fate.”

While the start of the encounter was delayed due to damp run-ups, resulting in 35 minutes being lost, Hornchurch went onto register 201 runs with the bat in hand.

Key early contributions from Jamie Sorrell, Ronnie Saunders and Kieran Scarlioli - who top scored with 45 - allowed the hosts to reach a fine total.

Paul Walter recorded bowling figures of 3-31, while Darren Ironside and Ross Poulton also claimed three wickets apiece.

Robert Rayner took the other scalp, but the target set by Hornchurch proved to be out of Billericay’s reach.

Essex all-rounder Walter top scored with 67, in a 77-ball innings which included 12 boundaries, but only two other batsmen - Nathan Khelawon and Andy Smith - were able to break into double figures.

Billericay were all out for 127 inside 42 overs and Knight conceded his side cannot rely solely on Walter to produce the goods.

“It’s very handy to have had Paul around for the first part of the season,” added Knight.

“He is a class player with both bat and ball but it’s important that we aren’t too reliant on him every week.

“He was only around for a handful of games last season and the other lads stepped up and performed well.

“We haven’t really got going so far this season, but it’s still early days.”

Billericay are seventh in the 10-team table, but Knight believes his side’s fortunes will turn when the 50-over format comes into play this weekend.

“Obviously I would have preferred better results over the past two weeks but the fact that we are disappointed is perhaps a measure of how far we have come as a side,” admitted Knight.

“We are now heading into the 50-over format, which we feel plays to our strengths.

“As a result, we are hopeful of bouncing back.”