There was a predictable result when two of the main challengers for the Southend Borough Combination Premier Division title clashed.

The match finished in a 1-1 draw with leaders Southchurch Hall OS, who scored through O'Malley, keeping their one-point advantage over hosts White Ensign, whose scorer was Wilkins.

In the Reserve Division White Ensign's 2nd team went further ahead at the top after they won 3-2 at Ekco 3rd. G Benson served Ensign well with a double, while Barrows was the Ekco brace star.

Thorpe Athletic lost ground as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Old Southendian, who had two goals from Giles to thank for their success.

Borough Rovers continued their recovery with four goals from Keeling and two from Waters in a 6-2 win at Catholic United. Sibar Sports, with many games to make up, beat Shoebury Town 3-2 with Swain, Sexton and Forester scoring.

Westcliff Amateur stay second in Division One after Lewis's hat-trick helped them win 3-2 at Wakering. Division Two leadership is also unchanged but, after top dogs World Aviation drew 1-1 with Southend Postmen, Airborne United moved closer with a 5-1 success over fellow challengers Royal Bank of Scotland. Wines sparkled with two for the winners.

Leigh Ramblers 3rd confirmed their second place in Division Three as they beat White Ensign 3rd 4-2, Cater grabbing a hat-trick. Catholic 3rd, 6-1 winners over Battlesbridge 2nd, are just behind. Hoale and McGurk got two apiece.

In Division Four leaders Heath Sports drew 0-0 with Glenwood which allowed nearest challengers Leigh Times to move up. M Guy's hat-trick saw them beat Melchester Rovers 6-3. Third-placed Shoebury OB 2nd were held 2-2 by Thames Park 3rd.

There was little cheer for Shoebury pub side Parsons Barn. The Division Five leaders crashed 5-3 at Cupids 3rd with Wyatt and Trivett both scoring twice. This allowed International PMS to close in with a 4-1 win at Weir Sports 2nd.

Landwick 2nd are the new Division Six leaders. They went to Spa and bathed in the glory of a 9-1 win in which Robertson scored four, Greenstreet three and Miller two.

Parsons Barn 2nd made up for the disappointment of their first team's defeat when they won their first League game of the season, beating Old Rochfordians 2nd 6-2 with P Gray scoring five.

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