CRICKET: Hadleigh & Thundersley suffered a narrow one wicket defeat against Hornchurch in the Premier Division of the Essex League.

Hadleigh batted first after winning the toss and were bowled out for 206.

Roy Smith top scored with 45 while Luke Smith added 41 and skipper Sam Handley 31.

In reply, Hornchurch dug deep to make it home for the loss of nine wickets despite the best efforts of Adam Dobson who took 4/25.

Haider Ali Syed Zaidi and Louis Poynter also took two wickets each for third placed Hadleigh but it was not enough to prevent defeat.

There was also frustration for promotion pushing Billericay in Division One as they suffered a four wicket defeat at Harold Wood.

Billericay opted to bat first but were dismissed for just 110 with Rowan Elliott top scoring with 40.

Harold Wood made it home for the loss of six wickets, all of which were taken by Billericay bowler Robert Rayner.

Elsewhere in Division One, there was more frustration for bottom of the table Wickford.

League leaders Buckhurst Hill put Wickford into bat and dismissed them for 212.

Gareth Wright top scored with 65 while Billy Corps added 39.

But the total was not enough to trouble Buckhurst Hill who made it home for the loss of just two wickets.

In Division Two, Westcliff moved up to second in the table after a six run win against Harlow Town.

Westcliff opted to bat first and made 284/6.

Opener Joe Robbins scored a brilliant 125 while Prin Patel added 40 not out.

In reply, Harlow fell just short and were dismissed for 278.

Gurpreet Singh with 4/64 was the pick of Westcliff’s bowlers while Hammad Ul Hassan took 2/75 to ensure victory for his side.

Fifth placed Old Southendian & Southchurch drew with Benfleet who sit immediately below them in the table.

Old Southendian scored 272/7 with Ahmed Khawaja hitting a superb 130.

Matthew Darvill added 40 while Gavin Blowes (3/64) did most damage with the ball for Benfleet.

Benfleet then dug deep to avoid defeat, scoring 262/9.

Fayaz Khan Nasseri hit 81, Blowes 70 and Ross Casson 44. Khawaja continued his fine afternoon by taking 3/50.

Elsewhere, Leigh on Sea suffered a painful one run defeat against Oakfield Parkonians.

Oakfield made 123/4 before Leigh were dismissed for 122 after losing their last two wickets without scoring a single run.

Leigh remain second from bottom in the table.

READ MORE

>Essex beaten in quarter-final clash