RETTENDON are really setting the pace at the top of Division Three after a 94-run win over Boreham Rettendon won the toss and decided to bat first on what proved to be a very good batting wicket.

Boreham’s bowlers had a pretty lean time as far as wickets go, with an opening partnership of 56 before Tim Everitt went for 16, a second wicket partnership of 76 with Mark Everitt falling for a run a ball 43 and a third wicket partnership of 112 with Phil Everitt falling for 49.

Skipper Jon Roworth was involved in all of these partnerships before finally being caught on a brilliant 109 which makes it three tons out of four matches in the league for him.

Rettendon reached 288-5 from their 45 overs.

Boreham came out to bat with determination, taking on the Rettendon bowlers and pretty much keeping up with the run rate almost right the way through until Luke Snelling (5-52) took some key wickets.

Spinner Simon Bryant came on and he also took a key wicket when Boreham still looked like they could threaten the Rettendon total.

He took the final wicket to finishing with 2-18 off 4.2 overs. Boreham were still going for it right to the end, before eventually falling for 194 still going at six runs an over! Ashingdon are second in Division Four following their 81-run win at home to Sandon Sports.

Sutherby (105) and Gration (60) anchored the Ashingdon innings of 273-7.

Du Plessis (4-53) and De Bond (4-46) then did the damage with the ball as only Mills (55) prospered in Sandon’s 192-9 reply.

Echo Monarchs & Trojans II suffered a seven-wicket defeat at High Easter.

Mills top-scored for the Southend side but Tait’s 3-35 helped restrict them to 177 all out.

Norgrove then hit 74 as High Easter replied with 187-3.

Snelling’s 75 was not enough to stop South Woodham Ferrers losing by 78 runs away to Fyfield.

Gould led the way for the hosts with an unbeaten 102 as Fyfield posted 212-7. South Woodham replied with 154-9.

Eastwood first XI travelled to Brookweald seconds and lost by eight wickets. Eastwood reached 210-9 before their hosts replied with 214-2.

Stock II are second in Division Five following a 24-run win away to Great Totham.

Phillip hit 85 and Copland 38 as Stock were bowled out for 212, with Pearson (3-46) their chief tormentor.

Pearson completed a good match with 53 runs but Tant’s 3-47 helped restrict the Great Totham reply to 188-9.

Hullbridge got their second win of the season when they travelled to Woodham Mortimer and won by five wickets.

Richardson was the mainstay of the host’s innings which ended with them all out for 168.

Oxley led the Hullbridge run chase with 53 as the visitors replied with a winning 169-5.

Rayleigh II lost by three wickets away to Ingatestone II.

Rayleigh posted 129-8 from their 45 overs and the target was satisfactory for the hosts as they replied with 130-7.

Bluehouse suffered their third defeat of the season at home to Springfield III.

The visitors batted first and saw Phillip (85) and Copland (38) lead the way as they posted 239-9, with Neil claiming 3-34.

But the Billericay-based hosts were bowled out for 158 despite the best efforts of Pegg (27) as Phillip (3-29) and Howe (3-45) helped Springfield to an 81-run win.

Canvey II travelled to Rankin’s in Division Seven and came away with a five-wicket win that leaves them a place and 11 points ahead of their hosts.

Rankin's CC 2nd XI (152-10) v Canvey 2nd XI (153-5) (Mid Essex Division 7): Canvey opted to field and with good reason as they contained the Rankin’s batsmen and only Greenfield (41) and Druce (24) showed any resistance.

At 114-9 things looked grim but a last wicket partnership of 38 from two of Rankin’s colts — Steele (32 not out) and Mayhew (7) — saw the total edge up to 152 all out. Canvey bowlers Gorman (3-30) and Skidmore (2-43) were dominant throughout.

Canvey eased to a comfortable victory in just 30 overs with Shearcroft top scoring on 62 not out. Casson also contributed with a useful 36 as the islanders replied with 153-5.

The only Rankin’s bowler to make an impression was another colt, Carl Lees, who finished with 2-12.

Rankin’s third XI broke their duck and registered their first win in Division 11 thanks to a match winning 61 from batsman Raj Patel.

Hullbridge posted a respectable 187-6 from the 45 overs. Palmer (25) and Fillary (26) got the innings going before Stephens (31) and Crisp (38) both cashed in at the finish with unbeaten knocks.

Carl Lynch was the best of the Rankin’s bowlers returning good figures of 3-36 off 12 overs.

The Rankins run chase got off to a bit of a stutter after a couple of early wickets until Patel took control and scored a well-constructed 61 to take Rankin’s to within 35 of victory before being caught behind.

Contributions from Nolde (18), Heron (12) and Mark Cameron (20no) saw Rankin’s home to win by four wickets and register their first ever win.

For Hullbridge Blackman (2-36) and Palmer (3-28) did well with the ball.