A MATCH-WINNING second wicket partnership of 165 between Danny Joyce (81) and Liam Wilson (83) kept Belhus at the top of the Shepherd Neame Essex League Division Two on Saturday.

Having made 263-7, the home side’s opening bowler Carl Mumba finished with an impressive 4-34 from his allotted ten overs in this 50-overs per side encounter, with Mitchell Fenn closing on 3-57.

After tea, Hutton’s first four batsmen, Daniel Hagger, Fenn, James Mowll and Stuart Feeley weighed in with scores of 27, 26, 57 and 46 respectively.

However, the last eight wickets were lost for 64 runs as Hutton collapsed from 175-2 to 239 all out.

The demolition was a team effort with Gary Sanderson picking up 2-26 from a very economical 10 overs, while Connor Day finished with 2-57.

With Daniel Dreher’s 3-46 and Liam Wilson’s 2-38, it was left to Billy Winter (1-22) to conclude matters by dismissing last man Mowll courtesy of a Guilbert catch.

Belhus are now 23 points clear of second placed Oakfield Parkonians.

The seconds were beaten by three wickets against a plucky Harlow side.

In perfect conditions at North Stifford, Belhus were invited to bat which saw home captain lead from the front with a fine half-century, as they closed on 236-5.

But Harlow were more than a match for the hosts as they gained victory with just 10 deliveries remaining in this 45 overs per side fixture.

Belhus thirds failed to turn up with the bat as they were skittled for just 112 by Billericay fourths.

In atrocious Ockendon Recreation ground conditions, which saw the boundaries shortened, just four home batsmen reached double figures - Stephen Huckstepp 20, Jack Plane 22, Chris Didd 13 and Liam Waters 14.

Billericay’s opening bowler Joe Parsons stood tall, with 5-21 from 12.2 overs which included four maidens. Offering good support were John Hrusa, 3-24 and Michael Owens, 2-41. Billericay reached their target in 25.2 overs.

The fourths were victorious against Walthamstow fourths maintaining their position at the top of the division following this five-wicket win.

Opening batsman Ihsanullah Ahmed led the way for the home side with an inspiring knock of 70 runs.

But Belhus fought back magnificently as paceman Robert Long, together with spin duo John Wilson and Mike Squires, picked up three wickets each as Walthamstow closed on 151.

Brothers Ewan and Jack Day collected 36 and 23 runs apiece while Wilson played a captain’s innings of 30 not out and Bob Mead was also undefeated on 11.

Ed Edward was the pick of the home bowling with 3-42 from eight overs.

Outside of league competition, the Belhus fifth team made the short trip to Brentwood fifths coming 12 runs short of victory.

Beckett top scored for the hosts with 37 while Henry Benson impressed for Belhus with three wickets at a cost of just 12 runs.

There were two scalps each for Billy Sloan, Brett Page and Wilfred Gansbuhler. After the break, Jack Thomas hit 36, George Benson 20 and veteran Don East undefeated on 27.

Last man Page hit 14 as the tail wagged following a mini-collapse.

Two instrumental partnerships were key to giving Belhus a three-wicket win against Cor et Anima at North Stifford on Sunday.

The East Londoners won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first knock, with opener Shakil dropped first ball and going on to make a century.

Faisal gave valuable support with 46 but the visitors were pegged back by Mike Randall’s 5-14 and 3-42 from Adam Dudmish.

Offering good support were Billy Maidment 2-16 and Zak Wilson 1-22.

The first key pairing for Belhus was an opening stand of 58 in 10 overs by Keith Dhannie 30 and Jack Plane 31.

Plane was unlucky to deflect a long hop on to his own wicket when looking set for a big score but Dudmish 25 and Steve Huckstepp 38 not out put on 51 for the sixth wicket as Belhus edged home with eight balls remaining.