BASILDON & Pitsea stopped the rot by inflicting a first league defeat on Division Three leaders Old Southendian & Southchurch.

Michael Gray’s team had lost two matches in a row but bounced back in style to defeat the Old Boys by 23 runs at Southchurch Park.

After electing to bat, Basildon saw most of their batsmen chip in to take them to 300-8 from their 50 overs.

Liam Rouse (48), Darren Thompson (43), Sandeep Abhyankar (39), Phillip Tooke (38) and Chris Clarke-Irons (31no) kept the scoreboard ticking over, while Adam Rendell (2-30), Jamie Robinson (2-52) and skipper Aaron Lucas (2-64) got two wickets each.

Rob Johnston underlined his return to form with 81 runs for Southendian and there was support from Max Craddock (40) and Jamie Robinson (34), but Luke Daw’s 5-42 and 3-71 from Lloyd Lambert restricted the hosts to 277-9 from their 50 overs.

“Everyone chipped in and it was a good all-round team effort,” said a delighted Gray.

“It’s about time we got back to winning ways following two defeats and beating the leaders shows what we’re capable of, which is what makes those two defeats so annoying.

“We had a bit of luck when we were batting but our bowling and fielding still needs a lot of improvement and it should have been a bit more comfortable than it was.

“Rob Johnston batted well and once we got him out we were on our way.”

Southend captain Lucas admitted: “Our bowling and our fielding let us down. When one side gets 300 it’s obviously a mountain to climb.

“Our batting was very good and I was pleased with the batting side of things. Rob Johnston got some runs so his bad spell is over now, which is a good sign.

“Credit to Basildon, the better team won and I was impressed with them. They batted well and rode their luck at times, but they deserved to win and performed admirably.”

The derby between Benfleet and Westcliff at Woodside Park was a low-scoring affair as bowlers came out on top.

Westcliff were put into bat and were bowled our for 120 in 35.5 overs as only five batsmen got into double figures.

Jack Stead (20) and Noel Smith (15) fared best against an attack led by Gavin Blowes (5-28), who took his maiden first XI five-for, and captain Gareth Steed (2-37).

But Benfleet saw only three batsmen into double figures as they were dismissed for 65 in 29.3 overs.

Steve Reeve (14), Rob Zammit (10) and Kieran Record (10) were the trio, while Westcliff captain Chris Gladwin (5-14) and Tom Baker (3-28) did the damage.

“Danny bowled out of this world and we would not have won it without him,” said Gladwin.

“He is a 15-year-old who was only playing his second first team game.

“I got five wickets but he got their top three out and that’s what won us the game.

“Fielding and bowling we looked a tight unit but we batted appallingly. Our shot selection was appalling.

“We knew it was a low score but we battled through, got one wicket and then another and before long the match turned in our favour.”

Benfleet skipper Steed said: “A lot of words were said afterwards and it won’t happen again.

“We bowled and fielded really well, and Gavin did really well, and we were hoping to build on our batting performance from last week but it was shambolic.

“Steve Reeve hung around but nobody else got going. Chris Gladwin was clever with his bowling and did for our middle order.

“I have reflected on the match and I think there is a lot of inexperience in the side and sometimes chasing a low total is difficult, but hopefully they will have learned from it.”