BELHUS captain Danny Joyce and his paceman Connor Day led from the front to give Belhus a hard-fought 35-run win against Hainault & Clayhall on Saturday.

Opener Joyce hit a fine 61 from 92 deliveries which included six fours and Day continued the good work in the post-tea session by claiming three wickets from 10 overs at a cost of 39 runs.

Earlier, Roy Heffernan, batting at number five, bolstered the Belhus total with an undefeated 41. Veteran stumper John French took five catches behind the timbers to dismiss Joyce, Billy Winter for 19, Martin Guilbert for 12, Charlie Lewis for just two runs and Daniel Dreher for 13, as they closed on 250-8. Top visiting bowler was fourth change Khalil Khan with 3-37 from 10 overs.

It was certainly a day for wicketkeepers as Michael Fogg pouched four catches, including the arrest of the rampant run-chase of Irfan Shah and Mousshin Ismail.

These two had scored 80 and 70 respectively until their wickets were claimed by bowlers Liam Wilson (1-42) and Day respectively.

With in-form visiting skipper Ryan Hurst being trapped leg before by Day for just seven runs, the dismissal of Ismail heralded a collapse as Hainault and Clayhall lost their last six wickets for just 34 runs.

Guilbert, fourth change bowler for the home side, was instrumental in the late demolition of the guests with 3-36 from six overs.

Gary Sanderson, Liam Wilson and Winter picked up one wicket each.

The seconds were also victorious, winning by two wickets against Hainault on an extraordinary afternoon where they smashed a 57-year club record.

Trailing by 313-4, it seemed an unlikely chase with Belhus 187-7, despite 52 from Wayne Read

Jake Wolfe and Jack Martin-Hussey turned the game on its head as they took the score to 292 – an eighth wicket partnership of 105 as Wolfe struck 76 not out and Martin-Hussey hit 57.

It was left to Matthew Williams to accelerate the score still further with 21 from four deliveries to see Belhus home with seven balls remaining.

Williams’ match winning scoring sequence was six, four, six from a no-ball, two runs from the free hit and a further two runs to put a very happy Belhus team over the finishing line.

Earlier, Rehman hit 78 and Mahmood struck a fine 91 for the hosts while Braydon Scarlett of Belhus deserves praise for returning 2-47 in the batting paradise.

The following day, Belhus seconds lost away at Locksbottom by seven wickets. Ewan Day picked up 2-17 from eight overs after Adam Dudmish and Steve Huckstepp had scored 33 and 17 respectively.

The third team romped to a massive win against Leigh thirds, winning by 158 runs.

Belhus made 253-3, including Russ Blackburn’s maiden century for Belhus (117), with 96 of those runs coming in boundaries.

Blackburn hit 10 sixes and nine fours – after being dropped second ball. Nick Marns provided valuable support until he was bowled by Bailey for 49 and skipper Jack Plane was on 37 when he decided it was time to bring the innings to an early close.

After tea, Leigh’s number four Ryan Parker was the mainstay with 31, but with Adam Dudmish making inroads with 4-44 from 14 overs, the writing was on the wall for the Belfairs Park hosts. Billy Maidment and Aidan Mason picked up two wickets each and there was one apiece for Alan Maidment and Plane.

The fourths lost just two wickets on their way to victory against Hutton fifths.

Rob Long ensured Belhus went six points clear of Fives and Heronians in the Shepherd Neame Essex League fourth west division, taking 5-23.

Home captain David Franklin top scored with 31 until he was bowled by Zak Wilson (1-18). Jamie Fairweather impressed with 2-25 from eight overs while John Wilson and Mike Squires picked up one wicket each.

Wickford were beaten by five wickets by the Belhus fifth team to complete a clean sweep for the local club.

It was their first win of the season as openers Jack and Connor Thomas hit 40 and 31 respectively to give the visitors to Wickford Memorial Park a strong start as they chased down the home score.

The momentum was carried forward by captain Neil Sullivan’s undefeated 27 while Billy Sloan was also at the crease with 15 when the target was reached.

Earlier, Lundgrun and Pinchback scored 24 and 23 respectively but fifth change Ryan Prendergast picked up 3-13, Brett Page 2-23 and one each for Bradley Bunce, Sloan, Jordan Sullivan, Connor Thomas and Bob Mead.