ORSETT & Thurrock won their first match of the Shepherd Neame Essex League season with a narrow triumph against Colchester & East Essex.

The margin of victory in the Division One clash was just eight runs as Orsett & Thurrock claimed three late wickets to secure the points.

Mark Pavitt (63) top scored for the hosts, with useful contributions from Paul Bennett and Kirk Laws en route to 228/7 in 50 overs.

Colchester & East Essex also had helpful contributions throughout and the failure to go on and hit a big score proved costly in the end.

Number nine Darren Eckford top scored with 50 as five other batsmen scored 20 or more runs before falling.

Joseph Marshall (3-59) and Paul Bennett (3-48) did the damage with the ball as the visitors were dismissed eight runs short of their target.

Horndon-on-the-Hill were humbled by Wickford in Division Two as they failed to build on an excellent opening day victory.

Having watched Wickford score 238/8, they were all out for just 87 after 25 overs.

Tom Stone scored 36 and James Stitson 15 as the other batsmen failed to reach double figures.

Jeff West took 4-46 and Ryan Madder 3-62 on an otherwise bleak day for Horndon.

In Division Three, Stanford-le-Hope were beaten by Epping as their search for a first league win of the season goes on.

Epping elected to bat and closed on 216/8, Ahsan Akbar out for 99.

Matt Higgins (4-62) and Adam Knight (3-46) impressed with the ball, while Orrie Fernandes’ 52 was the best offering at the crease, with Stanford all out for 189.

>Orsett & Thurrock 2s cruised to a 117 run win against Horndon 2s at the weekend.