AN impressive half-century from Grant Smith ensured Burnham Sports' second XI secured a comfortable four-wicket victory at Hatfield Peverel in their T Rippon Mid-Essex League division eight match.

Opening the batting alongside captain Jack Shipton (22), Smith hit nine boundaries and cleared the ropes on three occasions on his way to a top score of 79 as the pair put on a 39-run partnership at the top of the order.

Grant’s efforts were well supported further down the order; Greg Bayliss (42) and Mike Jenkins (39) helped push Burnham on to a final total of 235 for the loss of six wickets after their 45 overs.

In reply, none of the Peverel batsmen were able to go on and make a big score; Lenoir (31), Phillips (39) and Brenson (28) all started well, but none really took the game to Sports.

David May and Mike Jenkins both claimed three wickets, while youngster Joe Green, enjoying a good run of form, claimed two of his own.

Peverel were bowled out in the 40th over for only 163.

On Saturday, Sports' second XI host Orsett and Thurrock at Millfields.

A valiant effort from Burnham Sports' first XI was quashed by an explosive century from Stock’s big-hitting batsman Chris Westwood, as the visitors secured an away win at Millfields on Saturday in T-Rippon Mid-Essex League division one.

Stock were chasing Burnham’s first innings total of 204, and the hosts got off to the ideal defence of their total as they reduced the visitors to 53 for four.

This, however, brought number five Westwood to the crease who, after setting the tone for his innings with six boundaries in quick succession, single-handedly took control for Stock.

He smashed a further five boundaries and six sixes on his way to a final score of 106 not out from only 62 balls, inspiring Stock to a four-wicket victory.

Sports’ captain Joel Whittaker said: “When you have a player like Westwood who can take a game away from you just like that, there isn’t much you can do to stop it.

"Credit must go to him, though, it was a great knock.”

Sports did, however, put on a much-improved performance in defence of their total, as they took six Stock wickets.

The wicket of Westwood was key though, and had he been dismissed the game would have swung back into Burnham’s favour.

Robin Whittaker was the stand-out Burnham bowler, claiming two wickets from ten overs, conceding only 23 runs.

Paul Green also claimed two, with Jamie Hamilton and David Bridge both taking a wicket each.

Earlier, after being sent in to bat in wet and windy conditions, Sports got off to the perfect start - openers Paul Green and Jack Silvester put on a 55-run partnership before the former was caught after a quick-fire 37 off the bowling of Taylor.

Silvester, who had a more tentative approach, managed to go on and score his second half-century of the season; he ended up with 55 before being caught after a mistimed shot went straight up in the air.

However, the openers had set the perfect platform for a competitive total, and along with contributions from Joel Whittaker (33), Jamie Hamilton (21) and Steve Sims, who let loose with an impressive 24, Sports managed to reach a final score of 204 for 6 after 45 overs.

Next week the firsts travel to Aythorpe Roding, who are level on points with Burnham.