BILLERICAY bowler Adam Marchant had the game of his life as a superb seven wicket haul made it three wins from four since promotion to Division One.

The home side beat Fives & Heronians by seven wickets having won an excellent toss, skittling Fives for just 89.

Marchant took seven of the first nine wickets and earned a brilliant hat-trick, as he dismissed three of the Fives batsmen with the first delivery they had faced.

When Ben Britton and Greg Summers were trapped LBW by Marchant, Ali Razi was able to deny Marchant his hat-trick, only to be out LBW the very next ball.

Ross Summers went four balls into his innings to see the middle order decimated and ensure Marchant closed with 7-29 in 10 overs and dismiss Fives in just 28.1 overs.

Billericay didn’t make the best start, with Paul Martin (seven), Dave Hinnigan (17) and Stuart Hynes (zero) to leave them at 35-3.

But Chris Tait (38 not out) and captain Dave Houghton (22 not out) saw them over the line after just 19.4 overs.

Southend-on-Sea & EMT were also victorious as a half century from Aarron Butcher led them to a six-wicket win.

Loughton’s Mahmad Ali Khail hit 52 for Loughton but he provided the only real resistance as the home team closed on 161-8 in 50 overs.

Joe Robbins and Ashleigh McCafferty (2-41), Alex Karkosi (2-25) and Michael Gridley (2-48) took the wickets.

But three emphatic batting performances from Southend batsmen ensured victory inside 35 overs.

Oliver Wagstaff (45) and Butcher (50) provided a solid foundation, with Robbins’ 49 off 39 balls leaving Sam Rowe (10 not out) to hit the winning runs.

Hadleigh & Thundersley made a big total against Woodford Wells but couldn’t bowl out the stubborn opponents in what ended a draw.

Captain Adam Soilleux hit a terrific unbeaten 102 off just 84 balls to help Hadleigh to 252-5, with Owen Lynch striking 53 in another impressive innings.

But Woodford Wells replied strongly, with Jack Johnson’s 83 and Tanveer Shah’s 61 meaning they were just seven down at the close of play, having made 208.