Basildon & Pitsea seconds have a two-point advantage over Billericay at the top of division three after a 63-run win over Old Southendian.

The new towners declared on 209-8 and then bowled their hosts out for 156 to claim 20 points.

Billericay maintained their unbeaten league run with a four-wicket win over Orsett.

The visitors posted a total of 178 with only D Kooyman (44) and H Henry (38no) providing resitance as Billericay skipper Chris Horton's decision to field first paid dividends.

James Clark (5-51) and Nick Walter (3-19) performed admirably to set the hosts up for a successful run chase. J Gibb (58) and Alex Garratt (47no) scored the bulk of Billericay's reply.

Stanford le Hope remain 20 points adrift at the bottom of the table after drawing with Southend.

The visitors claimed a couple of early wickets through John Harris and Sam Spooner.

But James Holmwood (107) came in a number five and laid the foundations for the seasiders as they declared after reaching 225-6.

Stanford welcomed back Mark Nuttall for his first game of the season and he inspired them to their best performance of the summer.

Nuttall (81) joined forces with Neelay Patel (35) for a second wicket stand of 73.

But once it was broken Nigel Green destroyed any hopes Stanford had of getting a result as he claimed 7-22 to leave the visitors on 192-8.

* Full local cricket round-up in Wednesday's Echo