CRICKET: Hadleigh & Thundersley were held to an entertaining draw by Wanstead & Snaresbrook in the Premier Division of the Essex League.

Wanstead were put into bat first and were bowled out for 257.

Haider Ali Syed Zaidi was the pick of Hadleigh's bowlers, taking 4/51 while Richard Revell took 3/75.

In reply, sixth placed Hadleigh ended on 248/9 with Adam Soilleux scoring 72, skipper Sam Handley 68 and Darius Vapiwala 55.

In Division One, Billericay suffered a six wicket defeat against Harold Wood.

Fourth placed Billericay were put into bat after losing the toss and were dismissed for 107.

Opener Arjun Bhardwaj top scored with 21 before Wood made it home for the loss of four wickets.

In Division Two, Westcliff's match with Old Southendian & Southchurch ended in a draw.

Westcliff batted first after losing the toss and scored 276/9.

Hammad Ul Hassan hit a fine 120 before being run out while opener Charlie Lockhart added 42 and Lewis Groves 35.

Dylan Batt (4/43) and Ahsan Yousaf (4/69) did most damage with the ball for Old Southendian who then finished their innings on 148/8.

TJ Bailey led the way with 36 while Tom Baker (3/18) was the best of the bowlers.

The draw saw Westcliff slip into the bottom two with Old Southendian seventh.

Benfleet now sit immediately above the drop zone after beating Springfield by 90 runs.

Benfleet made 201/5 with Rob Zammit scoring 84 not out, Tom Longhurst 42 not out and Ben Munday 41.

In reply, Springfield were dismissed for 111.

Elsewhere, Wickford remain bottom of the league after suffering a seven wicket defeat at Horndon on the Hill.

Wickford were put into bat after losing the toss and scored 164.

C Smith led the way with 36 before Horndon reached the required total for the loss of just three wickets.

In Division Three, Leigh on Sea suffered a five wicket defeat at Harlow.

Leigh elected to bat first after winning the toss and scored 231/8.

Jon Edwards led the way with 61 while Isaac Wohlsen added 39 and James Pettitt 31.

However, Harlow made it home for the loss of five wickets to leave Leigh seventh in the table.

In Division Four, Southend & EMT slumped to a six wicket defeat to NEO.

Southend were bowled out for 104 before NEO reached the required total for the loss of four wickets.

Southend are now sixth in the table.