CRICKET: Hadleigh & Thundersley went bottom of the Essex League Premier Division after suffering a 66 run defeat to Brentwood.

Brentwood scored 247/8 after being put into bat with Oliver Smith (5/35) the pick of Hadleigh’s bowlers.

However, in reply, the hosts were dismissed for 181.

Billy Corps top scored with 45 while Ethan Rogers added 31 but it was not enough to prevent defeat.

Hadleigh are now eight points from safety with three games to go.

In Division One, promotion pushing Billericay beat Springfield by seven wickets.

Springfield were bowled out for 116 with Rob Rayner, Joe Carson and Callum McDonald all taking three wickets before Billericay made it home for the loss of three wickets.

Heshan Mahendra led the way with 60 not out.

Billericay remain second in the table, 22 points behind leaders Fives & Heronians and 10 above third placed Upminster.

In Division Two, table-topping Old Southendian & Southchurch beat Woodford Green by five wickets.

Woodford Green elected to bat first and scored 215 with Matt Austin taking 5/50 with the ball.

In reply Hafiz Yawer Afazl hit 80 and Hemanth Venkatakrishna 44 as Southendian made it home for the loss of five wickets to put Old Southendian 36 points clear at the top.

Elsewhere, fifth placed Westcliff lost by 89 runs against Horndon on the Hill.

Horndon hit 199 with Adnan Khan taking 4/51 and Joe Robbins 3/40 before Westcliff were dismissed for 110 in reply.

Finlay Mackay top scored with 33.

In Division Three, there were defeats for Benfleet, Leigh on Sea and Wickford.

Fourth placed Leigh lost by seven wickets against Bentley.

Leigh opted to bat first and were bowled out for 116 with opener J Edwards top scoring with 53 before Bentley made it home for the loss of three wickets.

Eighth placed Wickford suffered a narrow one wicket lost against Newham.

Wickford scored 248/9 in 50 overs with Frankie McKenna hitting 57 and Zisan Abedin 42.

In reply, Newham made it home for the loss of nine wickets in an exciting contest Adam Deller (3/48) was the pick of Wickford’s bowlers.

Bottom of the table Benfleet suffered a 176 run defeat to Barking, the team just above them in the table.

Barking scored 285 with Mark Acraman taking 4/50 before Benfleet were dismissed for 109.

Benfleet are 25 points from safety.