Billericay 247-9

Saffron Walden 212-9

(Match drawn)

After a couple of weeks in the doldrums, Billericay returned to form with a vengeance and picked up the lion's share of the Shepherd Neame League Premier Division points at leaders Saffron Walden.

The hero of the hour was Jonathan Walford, who hit nine fours and a six in a fine 97 and then capturted three wickets at a cost of 37 runs.

Walford shared a First wicket stand of 46 with Richard Swile (23), but Billericay then suffered by not having anyone to stay with their star batsman.

Late on Ian Pont (26 including five fours) and Andy Maxwell (15) put on an unbeaten 28 for the last wicket.

Steve Plumb (5-54) was the top Saffron Walden bowler. The home side enjoyed a 50 first-wicket partnership, but lost a couple of wickets at that stage and looked in trouble at 137-6.

However, number six batsman Mitchell hit an unbeaten 40 and Billericay were unable to bowl the opposition out.

Walford was backed by Maxwell, whose 2-65 effort came in 29 overs, and Pont (2-32).

A refreshing statistic which showed the willingness of the teams to get on with the game was that both sides faced 66 overs.

Run-feast at Shenfield

Shenfield 325-7

Wickford 245-8

(Match drawn)

These two lowly sides cast aside their problems by providing a run feast at Shenfield.

Premier basement club Wickford played their full part, but added to their problems when skipper Jamie Wright suffered a dislocated finger.

Southend draw at County Ground

Southend 195

Hutton 103-8

(Match drawn)

With Essex using Southchurch Park for their Championship and National League matches this week, Southend enjoyed the luxury of playing at the County Ground in Chelmsford, but could not force a Shepherd Neame League Division Three win.

Southend went into the match in third place with Hutton immediately above them and scored 195 off 51 overs with Australian Brad Everett leading the way on 56 and Ken Porter making 50.

Southend did not expect their total to be anywhere near enough, but Hutton toiled in their reply with Jeremy Lawford bowling 18 overs unchanged and taking 4-52.

With four other bowler chipping in with a wicket apiece, Southend looked to be in with a victory chance, but Hutton's ninth wicket pair blocked them out.

Even so, Southend captured nine points from this performance - although leaders Upminster moved further clear at the top.

Wilson boosted by Essex call-up

Hadleigh & Thundersley 234-7

Horndon 128

(Hadleigh won)

Elliott Wilson, boosted by acting as 12th man for Essex as replacement for injured Mark Ilott during the Southchurch Park action with Middlesex last week, gave an inspiration bowling display for Hadleigh.

He took 4-24 and with Chira Desai finishing with 4-37, Hadleigh kept alive their Shepherd Neame League Division One honours bid with a good win against Horndon.

A fine knock of 93 from Glen Geeson provided the backbone of the Hadleigh innings and good backing came from Neil Goodman (34) and captain Neil Barry (35).

Dave Goldstone toiled well for 3-103 in 24 overs.

Only Kevin Price (38) really got to grips with the Hadleigh bowling and all in all it was a highly-satisfactory afternoon's work for Hadleigh.

Yesterday they were staging their big Evening Standard Cup match with Wimbledon and tomorrow at the John Burrows Ground there's a whole clutch of ex-Test stars in action for the match between a Centurion X1 and Hadleigh's world invitation line-up (2pm).

On target - Horndon's Dave Goldstone sends one down at Hadleigh's Glen Geeson during their Shepherd Neame First Division match

Picture: ANDY PALMER

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.