CRICKET: Hadleigh & Thundersley slipped to third in the Premier Division standings after suffering a 68 run defeat against Brentwood.

Brentwood elected to bat first after winning the toss and made 336/8 with Louis Poynter (3/61) was the pick of Hadleigh’s bowlers.

But Hadleigh made 268/7 in reply with Roy Smith top scoring with 86 and skipper Sam Handley adding 72 as Brentwood jumped above Hadleigh in the table.

In Division One, Grant Roelofsen returned to action with Billericay in stunning style.

Roelofsen’s fine form has seen snapped up by Essex for the Royal London Cup this season.

But he was back with Billericay on Saturday and scored a brilliant century in their 119 run win against Upminster.

Billericay batted first and made 298/7 with Roelofsen scoring 120.

In reply, Upminster were dismissed for 179 with Robert Rayner and Ross Poulton both taking three wickets each.

Billericay are now fourth in the table, 18 points behind the promotion places with just three games to go.

Wickford remain bottom of the table and suffered a narrow three run defeat against Loughton at the weekend.

Loughton were bowled out for 238 with Usman Sahar, Chirag Desai and Billy Corps all taking three wickets.

But Wickford fell just short in reply after being dismissed for 235 with Corps hitting 42.

In Division Two, Westcliff were knocked off the top of the table by Epping after suffering a five wicket defeat against their title rivals.

Westcliff scored 291/9 with Hammad Ul Hassan scoring 100 and Joe Robbins 46.

But Epping reached the required total for the loss of five wickets with former Essex player Mervyn Westfield scoring 122 not out.

Fifth placed Old Southendian & Southchurch suffered an eight wicket defeat at Oakfield Parkonians.

Old Southendian scored 316/7 with Ahmed Khawaja hitting 121 and Ahsan Yousaf 63.

But Oakfield reached the required total for the loss of just two wickets.

Elsewhere, Benfleet beat Old Brentwoods by 94 runs.

Benfleet scored 244/7 with Rob Zammit scoring 65, Callum Wheeler 53 not out and Gavin Blowes 46 before Old Brentwoods were bowled out for 150.

Callum Wheeler and Fayaz Khan Nasseri both took three wickets for Benfleet who sit eighth in the table.

Ninth placed Leigh on Sea lost by four wickets at Orsett & Thurrock and are now 56 points from safety.

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