EASTWOOD Cricket Club began the summer in disappointing fashion at the weekend.

The club's first XI played two pre-season friendlies, losing to local rivals Rankins on Saturday before Sunday's trip to Havering-atte-Bower was cancelled due to bad weather.

At Rankins, the home side reached 189/8 in their allotted 40 overs, with Dan Fullarton the star Eastwood bowler, returning figures of 4/21.

Joel Squires, Sam Ridgeway, James Nicholls and Jamie Sanford all took a wicket apiece.

Unfortunately, Eastwood's reply never really got going as Rankins' Steve Ewen took five wickets to reduce the visitors to 123 all out.

Openers Graham Fletcher (37) and Stuart Coussins (25) were the only two Eastwood batsmen to pass 20 as the hosts cruised to a comfortable victory.

Although the sun was shining over Essex on Sunday, Havering-atte-Bower took the decision to abandon their friendly as the club's home pitch was not fit for play.

This weekend, the first XI travel to Canvey Island for a friendly on Saturday, while the second XI host Liberty Casuals and the 3rd XI are at home to Hockley.

On Sunday, the first XI host Leigh on Sea's Sunday 2nd XI, while the Under-13s play an inter-club friendly with their A' side.

>HOCKLEY have been crowned Riverside Indoor League Premier Division champions.

The south Essex side won 10 of their 13 league fixtures to beat Maldon and Burnham Sports to the title by 19 points.

Hockley also reached the League Cup semi-finals.