A half-century from 16-year-old Darren Smith failed to save Wickford seconds from a heavy home defeat.

Wickford off-spinner Paul Davies, who took 4-81 in his 19 overs, had earlier toiled in vain to contain an Ardleigh side who rattled up 273-6.

J Thornton was Wickford's main tormentor, his score of 120 spanning 44 of the 52 overs Ardleigh faced.

Wickford soon lost three wickets in reply, and Smith (50), Steve Hammond (30) and Phil Parmenter (28) could not prevent defeat in 38.2 overs.

Wickford picked up just three points from this Shepherd Neame second XI Division One game.

However, it was a weekend when their senior sides were somewhat weakened by the absence of Iain Letch and Jamie Went, who both turned in useful performances for Essex under-17s in their draw with Felsted School.

Went took 2-34 in 11 overs, while Letch hit 85 - after making a promising Essex second XI debut earlier in the week.

He hit 25 and 80 not out, as well as taking two catches behind the stumps, in the county's draw with the MCC.

Went and Letch were again among the wickets, runs and catches on Sunday when playing in Essex under-19s' defeat of Billericay. Parmenter in form

WICKFORD IIIs 177-3

OLD SOUTHENDIAN 173

(WICKFORD WON)

In-form Keith Parmenter sent Wickford to the top of the table by sparking their third win in three Shepherd Neame third XI Division One games.

His 63 not out, following unbeaten knocks of 80 and 70, helped Wickford pass Southendian's 173 in the 40th over, with 3.4 overs to spare.

Chris Baker (45) and the 40 runs shared by Richard Lambdon and Tim Fisher also featured in Wickford's seven-wicket victory.

Wickford's star earlier on had been Nick Alley, 16, who took 4-9 in only 6.4 overs. Nigel Finch (3-70) and leg-spinner Tony Beane (2-48) chipped in as the Old Boys slumped to 80-5, 120-9 and 173 all out. So close to century

WICKFORD IVs 243-8 dec

HUTTON IVs 179-6

(DRAW)

Rob Debenham's 96 - with one six and 15 fours - led a fine Wickford batting performance.

However, Hutton's defensive reply, then the rain-enforced early end, denied Wickford more points than their ten.

Brian Vincent (37) and Gabe Uttley (23) backed Debenham, while 55 extras took Wickford to their 48.2 over declaration.

D Dempsey's 70 was Hutton's saviour. Mark Vickers claimed 2-5 in his only over, and Simon Carter 3-55, but a downpour ended Wickford's hopes. Maiden century seals win

SHENFIELD 229-5 dec

WICKFORD SUNDAY XI 232-5

(WICKFORD WON)

Darren Smith's maiden ton sealed Wickford's easy win after Steve Hammond's 3-34.

Nigel Lawrence hit 48 and Mike Debenham 36, before Phil Jones and Hammond knocked off the final 64 runs.

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