LEIGH on Sea skipper Tim Knox heaped praise on his side following a 106 run win at Southend & EMT.

Leigh sit second in the early Division Two standings with 40 points after winning their opening two games.

And Knox is pleased with how things are going.

“I’m really pleased with the start we have had coming off such a short lead in,” said Knox.

“All the guys have been really keen to work hard at training and it’s shows with the way we have played in the two wins we’ve had so far.”

Leigh batted at Southchurch Park and made 246/5 in their innings.

Roy Smith top scored with 86 while Oliver Wagstaff added 70.

Luke Guyler with 3/36 was the pick of Southend’s bowlers but the hosts found it tough going with the bat and finished on 89/7 chasing a revised target of 196 due to the wet weather.

Opener Shaun Grant top scored with 27 for Southend while Joe Sibbons with 14 was the only other batsman to make double figures.

TJ Bailey did most of the damage for Leigh as he took 4/17 from his six overs while Greg Hammond took 2/18.

And Knox was happy with the performance.

“Saturday’s win against Southend was fantastic,” said Knox.

“To make 246/5 after being sent in on a wet wicket was brilliant and the bowlers did an excellent job to close the game out.

“We don’t want to look too far ahead but if we can perform to a high standard each week then I’m sure we will be up the top half of the table come the end of the season.”

Elsewhere on Saturday, Wickford beat Westcliff by five wickets.

Westcliff batted first and made 207/4 with Joe Robbins 83 not out.

Peter Barnes hit 59 and Charlie Lockhart 37 while Dean Etchells took 2/42 for Wickford.

The showery conditions meant Wickford chased a revised target of 179 from 40 overs and they made it home for the loss of five wickets.

Etchells top scored with 41 while Chris Whitworth added 38 and Huzaifa Umer 34.

Joe Robbins took 2/34 for Westcliff but it was not enough to avoid defeat.

Benfleet were also beaten in Division Two on Saturday as they lost by 63 runs against Frenford.