BASILDON & Pitsea will be looking to reverse their fortunes when they take on unbeaten Division Three leaders Old Southendian & Southchurch tomorrow.

The men from Mopsies Park made a good start with two wins and a draw but have then suffered consecutive defeats that have seen them slip to fourth.

But captain Michael Gray is hoping to arrest that slump as the matches enter the 50-over period.

“I still think we are a decent team but we just need to show it,” Gray said.

“The ball is just not running for us at the moment and everyone’s confidence is down a bit but you make your own luck.

“Old Southendian is going to be tough because they are the form team at the minute but I’m hoping we can get a result.

“I still feel we are good enough and with a few results we could be back up there.”

Basildon welcome a few players back for their trip to Southchurch Park and Old Southendian will be bringing back the rested Matthew Austin into their attack.

Skipper Aaron Lucas is not planning on changing things for the 50-over games as he has five frontline bowlers in his armoury.

“Down at Southchurch Park we are a confident side but Basildon are a pretty good side from what I have seen over the last few years,” Lucas said.

“They’ve got a few youngsters who are getting better and better, so it’s going to be a tough game. But we are looking forward to it.”

Benfleet's three-wicket victory over West Essex last weekend propelled them up to third in the table and they welcome sixth-placed Westcliff-on-Sea to Woodside Park tomorrow.

The home team have Rob Zammit fit to bowl again and Steve Reeve bowled eight overs on Sunday to give skipper Gareth Steed options.

“Westcliff have three or four good players," said Steed. "We know they are going to be a good side and no mugs.

“But the way we batted against West Essex last weekend means I’m quite confident going into the game.

“Our bowling is good it was just some consistency with the batting that we needed.”

Westcliff lost by three wickets to Old Southendian last week but captain Chris Gladwin took a lot of positives out of the match.

“Things are moving forward and the next nine games are wins and no draws, so if you win games you can climb the table very quickly,” he said.

“The only disappointing thing against Old Southendian last week was to let them win because we wanted to win or get a draw to stop them moving too far ahead.

“The next nine games are limited overs and the batting attack we have should be passing 260 with no problem and I have seven bowlers I can use.”