THE Medlocks T20 Evening League Cup took centre stage, with Rankins Cricket Club emerging victorious against Great Wakering.

Great Wakering skipper Dan Deadman won the toss and elected to bat.

But an unusually slow start from the village side saw them lose opener Noel Smith for 10 before Graham Overall steadied the ship with an excellent retired 50.

He was well supported by Joe Wiggins with 28.

However, tight bowling and fielding by all the Rankins team, particularly Jack Treen (1-24) and Olly Cousens (1-22) kept the village side down to a below par score of 128-6.

In reply, Daryl Greenfield (20 off 17 balls) and Prinny Patel (18 off 13) started to make batting look very easy.

But three spectacular catches that would have graced any Lords final, from Dean Overall, Carl Sutton and Luke Bunce, had the whole crowd applauding and put Wakering right back into the game.

Tight bowling from Tom Baker and Dan Deadman, who bowled eight overs for just 31 runs between them, and wickets from Carl Sutton 3-26 and Dean Overall 2-26 meant the game was in the balance.

But solid batting from Luka Albon (12) and Matt Renvoize (15) put Rankins back in charge, allowing skipper Adrian Greenfield (19 not out) and Stewart Holyland (17 not out) to see their side home with eight balls and five wickets to spare to seal the cup victory.

In the Medlocks league games unaffected by weather, Emersons beat Eastwood CC in a high scoring and competitive match, as they successfully chased down a target of 166 with five wickets to spare.

At Rayleigh Fairview, the hosts topped the 114-4 made by Civic Centre, in a match reduced to 15 overs.

Dave Colwill top scored for the visitors with 37 not out while Joe Turner was the pick of the bowlers with his one wicket and good economy rate.

The hosts 115-3 was thanks to 46 from skipper Adam Keating, 25 from Russell Sheerman and 23 not out from Dan Lawson.