ESSEX CARRIERS 149-6

EASTWOOD 153

(Eastwood won by 4 runs)

Carriers' opener Steve Rogers battled to 73 not out but still saw his side pipped by four runs in this Reefers 90 league encounter at Belfairs Park.

Eastwood reached their 153 total with Patel top scoring with 26 not out. Mark Baker took four wickets at the expense of 45 for Carriers.

As well as Rogers, Ben Sykes amassed 23 during Carriers' reply. Eastwood's Barker claimed 2-20 with the ball.

Fairview edge a last-ball thriller

RAYLEIGH FAIRVIEW 226-4

PURLEIGH 224-9

(Rayleigh won by 2 runs)

Rayleigh Fairview kept up their promotion push in Mid Essex League Division Four with victory in a thrilling game that went to the final ball.

Fairview batted first and posted a target of 226 from their 45 overs. Chief run scorers were the ever-reliable Spencer Collins (92), Adam Keating (49 not out) and Gareth Crompton (38).

Purleigh slipped to 108-6 in their reply and almost stole the win on the last delivery.

But Rayleigh prevailed after Purleigh failed to get the required five runs on the last ball.

Top Rayleigh bowlers were consistent Tim Felstead, who took 4-34, and Gareth Crompton (2-34), while Bowles (50) and Oliver (41) top-scored for Purleigh.

Fairview further from danger

RAYLEIGH FAIRVIEW II 243-4

BOREHAM II 167

(Rayleigh won by 76 runs)

Russell Sheerman's maiden ton fired Rayleigh Fairview seconds further away from Mid Essex League Division Seven relegation trouble.

Sheerman had a superb knock of 105 as he joined Matt Smith (73) in a third-wicket partnership of 165.

Mike McHale (4-23) and Alec Hayward (3-47) then tied up the Boreham innings as Rayleigh celebrated a second successive win.

Dines (42) and Steel (34) top-scored in the Boreham innings.

Walcott leads Centurions charge

LEIGH CENTURIONS 193-8

CHEQUERS 116

(Centurions won by 77 runs)

Roger Walcott's performance with the bat put Leigh Centurions in the driving seat in this friendly.

He compiled a knock of 98 and was run out as he closed in on his century in an innings which saw Chris Nelson (38) and Kevin Trench (30) also get among the runs.

Dave Cornwall (2-14) and Richard Prior (2-36) led the Chequers' attack until the Leigh side reached 193-8 from their allocated 40 overs.

The Canewdon team struggled with their reply against some tight bowling from R Norman (3-17), Trench (2-9) and Selby (2-11).

Bowler Colin Campbell, batting at number eight, clocked up an unbeaten 26, while Simon Broad (24) and Colin Webster (13) were the other batsmen of note.

Porter bags a third victory

STANFORD II 172

SOUTHEND II 176-8

(Southend won by 2 wickets)

Ken Porter performed a rescue act in both innings as Southend went top of the division with a third straight win.

After the loss of an early wicket, Stanford started to put together a useful score and looked like passing 200 with ease through M Page (48), M Church (24), and A Knight (27).

But Porter took 4 for 27 to restrict Stanford to 172.

Southend should have got the total easily, but wickets tumbled after a whirlwind start from Baju Solanki (35).

Porter steadied the ship with an entertaining knock of 72 and Southend managed to win off the penultimate ball.

Duo demolish Ilford

ILFORD III 126

SOUTHEND III 127-3

(Southend won by 7 wickets)

Southend pace attack of Gavin Lee (4-28) and Dean Johnson (2-37) demolished Ilford to set up their batting colleagues for an easy win.

Dave Alcock saw them home off just 22 overs with a sparkling 79 not out.

Upminster win by biggest margin

SOUTHEND IV 124

UPMINSTER IV 128-0

(Upminster won by ten wickets)

Southend were rolled over by A Bolder as they struggled on a very poor wicket at the Victory Sports Ground.

Veteran Dave Stranks managed 43 not out and Sean Graham 36 as Southend took 60 overs to score just 124 all out. A Bolder took 4-37.

Upminster also found it difficult to score runs and it took them 33 overs to pass the Southend total.

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