HADLEIGH & Thundersley continued their fine season with a 77 run win at Belhus.

Hadleigh - who are second in the Premier Division of the Essex League - batted first after winning the toss and made 240/7.

Oliver Smith top scored with 64 while Adam Soilleux made 57 before Belhus were bowled out, in reply, for 163.

Adam Dobson (3/43), Richard Revell (2/34) and skipper Sam Handley (2/45) all chipped in with wickets to ensure another Hadleigh victory.

In Division One, Billericay’s promotion hopes suffered a blow with a shock four wicket defeat to Ilford.

Fourth placed Billericay were put into bat and scored 190/6 in their 50 overs.

Lee Knight hit 55 and Rowan Elliott 50 not out for a Billericay side missing star performer Grant Roelofsen whose fine form has seen him snapped up by Essex for the Royal London Cup.

Ilford - who sit just above the relegation zone - reached the required total for the loss of six wickets to leave Billericay 22 points behind second placed Upminster.

There was also further disappointment for bottom of the table Wickford who suffered an eight wicket defeat against Fives & Heronians.

Wickford elected to bat after winning the toss and scored 191/9.

Opening batsman Ronnie McKenna hit an impressive 91 but his efforts were ultimately in vain as Fives made it home for the loss of just two wickets, thanks to a fine 106 not out from Bradley Copper.

In Division Two, table-topping Westcliff beat Orsett & Thurrock by five wickets.

Orsett chose to bat first and scored 203 with Tom Baker (4/33) doing most damage with the ball for Westcliff.

Joe Robbins (3/54) and Hammad Ul Hassan (2/57) also chipped in before Hassan took control with the bat, scoring a superb 111 not out to see Westcliff home.

Second placed Old Brentwoods also triumphed, beating struggling Leigh by seven wickets.

Leigh scored 179 with Joe Sexton top scoring with 63 before Old Brentwoods made it home for the loss of three wickets to leave Leigh second from bottom in the standings, 40 points behind Benfleet who sit just above the drop zone.

Benfleet were also beaten at the weekend as they suffered a five wicket defeat against Oakfield Parkonians.

Benfleet were put into bat and scored 206 with Ben Munday hitting 70 and Sam Rowe 41 before Oakfield reached the required total.

Elsewhere in Division Two, Old Southendian & Southchurch lost by five wickets against Harlow Town.

In-form Ahmed Khawaja scored 86 to help Old Southendian make 211 but it was not enough to stop Harlow securing an unexpected win.

In Division Three, Southend & EMT beat Redbridge by six wickets.

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>Essex beaten in Royal London Cup