Wickford 135

Wanstead 136-2

(Wanstead won)

Wickford are already relegated from the Premier Division of the Shepherd Neame League, but could still have a big say in who makes the drop in the First Division with them.

They go to second from bottom Loughton knowing that, if they can pull off what would be only their second win of the season, their first coming against close rivals Billericay, they will take their hosts to Division One with them.

On Saturday, Wickford suffered their tenth defeat of the season when, after scoring 135, they saw opponents Wanstead cruise past their total for the loss of only two wickets.

Fives and Heronians will take the Premier championship if they beat Billericay at home next Saturday, but Saffron Walden would be with with a chance should Fives lose while they beat Woodford Wells at home.

Youngsters shine in the sun

It was sunshine all the way at Benfleet's Woodside Park home yesterday when the stars of tomorrow warmed the hearts of their cricket-loving dads and uncles at the East/West play-offs of the Essex youth competition.

Photographer Steve O'Connell was there as, in temperatures edging into the 80s, Benfleet took on Stanford at under-13 level and Hockley met Wickford in the under-15 event.

Pictured above is Adam Sinclair batting for Hockley U15.

Hordon's last six fail to score any runs

Horndon 166

Walthamstow 167-5

(Walthamstow won)

Horndon, whose improved form in the Shepherd Neame League has seen them to Division One safety in recent weeks, suffered a collapse to cap them all when seemingly heading for a total above 200.

With Dave Stitson (60) and Sunjit Ray (40) having seen them to 166-4, the villagers collapsed to 166 all out.

Said skipper Stitson: "It was amazing really. We were obviously looking for quick runs from the last eight or nine overs, but suffered three run outs and didn't manage a run while losing our last six batsmen."

Walthamstow could hardly believe their good fortune as they put on 40 for the first wicket and then cruised home with a couple of overs to spare for the loss of five wickets.

Horndon picked up only five points and travel to fifth-placed Brentwood for their last match next Saturday.

Benfleet beaten by champions

Benfleet 158

Upminster 159-3

(Upminster won)

Benfleet, although recovering from 27-4 and 78-6, were eventually beaten by an Upminster side who ended the day celebrating the championship of the Shepherd Neame League Third Division.

The visitors owed much to their younger element for reaching the comparative respectability of 158. Andrew Jenkins, only 17, finished just seven short of his first ever senior half-century and 15-year-old Phillip Wright, son of skipper Jon, hit 23.

Tom Hanson, a near veteran alongside these two at the age of 22, weighed in with 27.

M Ryan (5-36) and A Berry (4-32) were the Upminster men to do the damage to the Benfleet innings.

Opening bowlers Troy Burns and Stuart Wiggins did well for Benfleet with no luck at all as openers P Brockman (64) and I Adams (59) took Upminster past the 100 mark without loss.

The spinners enjoyed more success with Chris Coltham taking 1-36 and Nigel West, back after a three-month absence following a knee operation, 2-23.

So Benfleet were beaten with Upminster's clinching of honours on the day being a delight, and relief, to home skipper Paul Hogg.

He gets married next weekend and he will obviously miss the final game of the season along with half of the regular first team.

Said Jon Wright: "I think the way we bounced back from our early disasters proved the tremendous spirit we have in the team.

"Good luck to Upminster, they are in a position we hope to be enjoying in two years' time. We're determined to do our best to win our first game in the last match at Epping next week and my feelings are that this club has a very bright future."

Undefeated Brandy is toast of Billericay

Billericay 263-9 dec

Hainault and Clayhall 205

(Billericay won)

A superb undefeated ton from Damian Brandy ensured Billericay ended their Shepherd Neame League Premier Division home campaign in fine spirits.

Having won the toss and elected to bat on what looked like a belting pitch at Blunts Wall Road, home skipper Ian Pont must have been doubting the wisdom of his actions when his side stood at 42-4 with Essex star Danny Law among those back in the pavilion.

However, all such doubts disappeared when Richard Swile and Brandy joined in a stand of 109 for the fifth wicket which only ended when the former, backing up, was unfortunately run out when a straight drive from Brandy caught a deflection and hit his stumps.

Swile had hit 10 fours in his 61, but his departure made no difference to the rampaging Brandy. With youngster Stuart Hynes, although only scoring 12, joining him in a stand of 52, Brandy went on to complete an unbeaten 132 which included 13 fours and three sixes.

Tatum bowled a tiring 23-over spell of medium pace left-armers for Hainault and was rewarded with 5-59.

Hainault got to 39 speedily, but then suffered something of a mini collapse themselves and were on 53-3. Fine bowling from Jon Walford (5-44) made certain the visitors were never in with a real victory chance and Law mopped up the tail with 2-44.

Ahmed (43) and McEwan (32) got among the runs for Hainault and there was one superb piece of cricket when Sweeney was bowled for 36 by the natural spin of Nick Jowett.

Billericay now have a great chance of ending the first ever Premier season in third position and look forward to next Saturday's closing game, at champions elect Fives and Heronians.

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