Cricket round-up: Billericay set stiff test for Wickford

Billericay's powerful batting line-up almost earned them victory over Saffron Walden last week - whereas Wickford , who were also at home, slumped to a 10-wicket defeat after Shenfield dismissed them for 64.

Wickford are still without Essex wicket-keeper Barry Hyam and opening batsman Gareth Wright, who will test his recovery from an ankle injury in the second XI.

First-team captain Jamie Wright said: "We'll be unchanged, fired-up and detmined to improve on last week.

"But, although the game will be very keenly-fought, I'm sure the rivalry will be friendly."

Billericay's only change sees Richard Swile, who responded to being left out last week with 86 for the second XI, returning for vice-captain Mark Harmer, who is at a wedding.

Down in Division One, Hadleigh and Thundersley are optimistic about tomorrow's visit to Walthamstow after returning to full-strength.

Opening bowler Elliot Wilson and off-spinner Chiraq Desai are fit again after injuries, and join Steve Brown, who has been on Essex duty.

Batsman Neil Goodman is back from holiday, while Dave Robeson and John Seaman drop down to the second XI.

Hadleigh spokesman Jon Wagstaff said: "We got 220 runs last week, but with the return of Elliot our bowling is back to its strongest line-up.

"We are in buoyant mood after picking up 18 points at Horndon and are looking forward to a good game against newly-promoted opponents."

Elsewhere,Westcliff host Horndon-on-the-Hill with batsmen Romesh Paul and Jon Pratt back again - compensating for the sudden loss of former skipper Nigel Holmes to Division TwoLeigh .

Westcliff skipper Tim Wade said: "We're pretty much full-strength, but I expect Horndon to be near the top this season."

Horndon, troubled by in-juries, will also have one eye on this Sunday's clash in the National Cricket village competition, in which they were finalists last year.

They probably start as warm favourites against Matching Green, who they beat by just one run on their way to Lord's in last year's event.

Meanwhile, Holmes' move to Leigh - where his brother Jerry is long established - has left Simon Burch's side in eager mood for tomorrow's trip to South Woodford.

Burch said: "Nigel obviously strengthens the side. He's a very good batsman and a useful left-arm spinner.

"South Woodford look as if they will be one of the strongest sides. They smashed Old Parkonians last week, so tomorrow should be an interesting guide to how we will get on this season."

However, Lee Wilson, who hit a match-sealing, unbeaten 28 for Leigh against Horn-church last week, will be away - watching England playing South Africa in the World Cup.

Division Two neighbours Old Southendian are boosted by the return of experienced left-arm slow bowler Dave Evans at home to West Essex.

Skipper Chris Bunce said: "After last week's five-wicket win against Stanford, we're quietly confident."

Southend , who share use of Southchurch Park with the Old Boys, are set to employ new tactics in their bid to get out of Division Three at the first attempt.

Captain Nigel Green, whose side are unchanged after last week's impressive draw with Hutton, said: "Where we slipped up last year was that we didn't really adjust to who we were playing.

"We put sides in and went all out for wins. It left us with a very low bonus points average, of about four or five.

"If I've brought anything to the captaincy this year, it's that we look very carefully about who we're playing.

"Against lesser sides then, yes, we'll probably put them in when we win the toss, but against the better teams we might go in first to try and amass some bonus points."

Green expects tomorrow's visitors Old Brentwoods - as well as Hutton - to be among the favourites for promotion.

Benfleet , at home to Harold Wood, are reeling from a worrying hamstring injury to Australian paceman Burns, as well as opener Lewis Edwards.

However, John Hunter returns, and another all-rounder, Troy Glover, is elevated from the second XI after hitting 35 last Saturday.

Skipper Jon Wright said: "It's unfortunate we've had to make so many changes so early on, but results lower down the club are very encouraging."

Also in Division Three, Basildon bring in Matthew Pink-Gyett and Tony Foster for their visit to Upminster, with Trevor Wilson and Wayne Morgan both away on holiday.

Basildon captain Mark Ayres argued: "Upminster are a strong side, but if we play as we did last week in the draw with Ongar then we have a very good chance."

Keen rivals - bowlers Jamie Went (left), of Wickford, and Danny Pryke (right), of Billericay are due to face each other at Patmore Memorial Ground

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY Edwards burst sparks Benfleet win

SHENFIELD SECONDS 201 all out

BENFLEET SECONDS 202-4

(BENFLEET WON)

A performance littered with fine displays - from Nick Edwards' four-wicket burst to Nick Hansen's unbeaten 82 - earned Benfleet a comfortable six-wicket triumph.

Shenfield, who chose to bat, were reduced to 21-2, but reached 101-2 before Edwards (4-48) decimated their middle-order.

Andy Fereday (3-50) and Tony White (3-34) helped polish Shenfield off inside 49 overs.

Benfleet also lost two quick wickets in reply, but Trent Glover's brisk 35, then Hansen and Kevin Brooker (21 not out) took them to victory.

Glover's innings earned him an early elevation to Ben-fleet's first XI in the Shepherd Neame League on Saturday. Paul's an all-round star

THEYDON BOIS 76 all out

TROJANS 77-5

(TROJANS WON)

Paul Saggers' useful all-round performance steered Trojans to a five-wicket Morrant League success.

He took 2-17, complementing Gary Vann's 3-23 as Theydon went cheaply.

Saggers (22) and Jay Mulally (17) sealed victory.

Trojan performance

THEYDON BOIS SECONDS 109 all out

TROJANS 110-6

Splendid bowling from P Cooper (4-30) and I Evans (4-23) set up Trojans' win. Ray Wise (38) and Tim Sil-ver 34 saw Trojans home. Openers set up Rochford

ROCHFORD 121-2

TRINITY 89-5

(ROCHFORD WON)

A 32-run win on a damp Garons Park wicket saw Rochford continue their good start at Garons Park in the Trinity Vs Rochford in the Southend Evening League.

The opening partnership in this 12 x eight-ball overs match saw Steve Green (51 not out) and Tim Wade (31) forge a useful partnership to give Rochford a sound start, before Vince Bird (19 not out) and Greg Dutton (17) boosted the run rate.

Trinity failed to respond - despite Storton and Cook both scoring 19 - as the bowling of Bird (3-28) and Pete Barnes (2-27) gave the Broomhills men a comfortable win. Porter lifts Southend to derby win

SOUTHEND 148 (51 overs)

OLD SOUTHENDIANS 93

(SOUTHEND WON)

A superb win over Southchurch Park rivals Old Southendian was led by a sparkling all-round performance from veteran Ken Porter who top scored in the Southend innings with 41 and followed up with an impressive 3-8 off 13 overs.

Needing two wickets with two overs to go Southend just managed to squeak home with Colin Marshall claiming the last wicket in the final over to finish with 4-21 in this evening league game.

Southend cruising

HUTTON 169 (51 overs)

SOUTHEND 170-1

(SOUTHEND WON)

Southend cruised to victory over Hutton thanks to an unbeaten century from opener Pete Stannard (102) ably supported by Dave Singh, who chipped in with 44.

Earlier Southend had dismissed Hutton - who were skippered by ex-Test star Robin Hobbs - for 169 thanks to some accurate seam bowling from Steve Johnson, who took 3-42.

He was ably supported by off-spinner Graham Butler, who finished with 3-58. Sandford cements win

EASTWOOD 199-6

ST AIDAN'S 171 all out

(EASTWOOD'S WON)

Sandford's 86 turned this match Eastwood's way - then his 3-12 in four overs finished St Aidan's off.

Palmer (36) helped East-wood to near the 200 mark, with Alex Cooper (2-27) Saints' most successful bowler. Peter Barnes (56) and Andrew Ames (26) gave St Aidans some hope, but Sandford and Dave Barker (2-9) ensured Eastwood's 28-run win. Leigh are all at sea

LEIGH 149 all out

BRENTWOOD 151-3

(BRENTWOOD WON)

Brentwood picked up 18 points to Leigh's one after S Surujbally (77) saw them to victory in half the time it took Leigh to make a lowly 149.

Leigh survived for 60 overs, Mark Seadon making 28 and Edward Freeman 20, with S Townson (3-29) and A Patel (3-54) their main tormentors.

Brentwood's seven-wicket triumph came in 30 overs, although Sean Elliott took 2-19.

Leigh win

HORNCHURCH THIRDS 216 all out

LEIGH THIRDS 219-5

(LEIGH WON)

Bruce Taylor was the all-round architect of Leigh's five-wicket win at Belfairs Park - even though R Rao hit 108 for Hornchurch.

Taylor finished with 4-23 before the visitors were dismissed after 51 overs. He then hit 41, providing support for Tim Hewitt's unbeaten 80 on the way to victory in 43 overs.

Sides matched

FIVES & HERONIANS FOURTHS 156-5

LEIGH FOURTHS 106-5

(DRAW)

John Monk (36) and Andy Wallace (22) helped Leigh to a draw after Brian Pickles (2-21) and Bob Taylor (2-40) helped keep home side Fives' total down. Laindon cruise to triumph

LAINDON 236-10

SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS 83-10

(LAINDON WON)

South Woodham elected to field but soon wished they had not as Laindon took full advantage of a friendly wicket to win by 153 runs in this Ibex Sunday League East Division match.

Laindon's leading batsmen were Mark Williams (43), Andy Willetts (40) and Neil Smith (53), while S Bridger (3-36), T Hiles (3-40) and M Keil's brace did the damage for South Woodham.

In reply, South Woodham struggled to overcome strong fielding from their opponents - C Rayner's 22 providing South Woodham's top score.

Excellent bowling from Andy Townsend,who claimed 5-14, and Andy Willetts (2-19) sealed the victory as South Woodham made 83-10 from 31.2 overs.

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