A FINE performance in the afternoon singles, which they won 7-2, helped Essex win their friendly at Kent 9-6.

Winners included Rayleigh's Jack Clarke (2 and 1), Boyce Hill's Andy May (4 and 3), Thorpe Hall's Matt Southgate (3 and 2) and Rochford's Joe Galbraith (2 up). Thorpe's Martin Blake, early leader of the Essex order of merit, grabbed a half.

Essex Boys won 15.5-2.5 in a friendly with the host club at The Warren.

Rochford's Jay Beisser was among the top scorers on minus two.