Westcliff's promotion bid suffered an unlikely blow when their derby clash with Old Southendian was abandoned with five balls left.

Howzat! -- Hadleigh's Duncan Paveling celebrates the wicket of Billericay's Steve Johnson Picture: ELISE GOW D9BXY1

The Seasiders needed just 10 runs to earn a vital win over their local rivals when batsman Bruce Pinkerton top-edged the ball into his face and was knocked unconscious.

He was taken to hospital and the delay forced the match to be abandoned as a draw, seeing Westcliff drop points and slip out of the top two.

Pinkerton had shared in an impressive seventh-wicket stand of more than 70 runs as Westcliff chased Old Boys total of 219.

But skipper Tim Wade had no arguments with the decision to end the game.

"We were looking for the win, but this had to take priority," he said. "I just hope Bruce is OK."

Ben Clarke had been the man of the match for Westcliff, making an unbeaten 48 from 26 balls alongside Pinkerton.

Earlier he had taken 4-33 in the Old Boys' innings, while James Blackmore made 108 and Chris Bunce 54.

Westcliff now have two matches to re-ignite their promotion bid after a run of bad luck recently. Apart from this match, the club has also suffered two successive washouts in recent weeks, netting them a combined eight points.

Next week they face Woodford Wells, while the decisive final game promises to be a cracker as leaders Ilford are due to visit Chalkwell Park.

Shepherd Neame Essex League Division One

Old Southendian 219

Westcliff 210-6

(Match drawn)

Published Tuesday August 27, 2002

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