CRICKET: Hadleigh & Thundersley moved into second place of the Premier Division standings after securing a 39 run win against Shenfield.

Hadleigh batted first and made 197 with skipper Sam Handley top scoring with 61 and Luke Smith adding 50.

In reply, Shenfield were dismissed for 158 with Handley and Richard Revell both taking four wickets each to ensure victory against their bottom of the table hosts.

In Division One, third placed Billericay saw off struggling Wickford by 77 runs.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Billericay made 279/2.

Grant Roelofsen hit 100 and Arjun Bhardwaj 81 while Matthew Bell with 52 not out, and Rehman Ahmed, 41 not out helped set a fine total for Billericay.

Wickford struggled in reply and were dismissed for 202.

Paul Corps top scored with 45 and skipper Chris Westwood hit 44 but it was not enough to prevent defeat.

Ross Poulton did most damage with the ball for Billericay as he took 7/46.

In Division Two, Westcliff went to the top of the table after a five wicket win against Horndon on the Hill.

Eighth placed Horndon were put into bat and were bowled out for 181.

Jack Marson led the way with 54 for the hosts while Hammad Ul Hassan with 4/51 was the pick of Westcliff’s bowlers.

Tom Baker (2/35), Adnan Khan (2/46) and Joe Robbins (2/48) also chipped in before Westcliff reached the required total for the loss of five wickets.

Alexander Portugal hit an impressive 76 not out to secure another victory for his promotion pushing side.

Elsewhere in Division Two, fifth placed Old Southendian & Southchurch drew with second from bottom Leigh on Sea.

Old Southendian opted to bat after winning the toss and scored 253.

Ahmed Khawaja hit 74 and Kyle Smith scored 65 while Gregory Bannister took 4/78 with the ball for Leigh.

Stuart Elliott (3/10) and TJ Bailey (3/68) also chipped in before Leigh finished on 239/8.

Tim Knox, who was batting at number nine, scored a vital 52 and James Spencer hit 43 not out to stop Leigh suffering defeat.

Benfleet are seventh in the table after beating Orsett by five runs.

Benfleet scored 241/8 with Fayaz Khan Nasseri top scoring with 55 before Orsett were dismissed for 236 with Callum Wheeler taking 5/54.

In Division Three, Southend & EMT beat Roding Valley by seven wickets.

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