A STUNNING contribution from Max Osborne guided Belhus to an emphatic victory against Upminster in Shepherd Neame Essex League Division One.

After a rotten start which saw the usually destructive Joe Joyce depart for one, Osborne and Danny Joyce took Belhus from 36/3 to 296/4.

Osborne was undefeated on 177 from just 118 balls with Joyce falling a single run short of three figures.

Belhus had accrued 328 runs at the close, a formidable score albeit on a good surface.

And the visitors gave it a good go, with Alan Ison’s 73 the best on offer.

In the end they fell 36 runs short, with the wickets shared around for Belhus.

Connor Day (2-28), Joe Joyce (2-56) and Matt Doran (2-76) impressed while there were also wickets for Osborne, Dan Dreher and Martin Guilbert.

The result leaves Belhus in fifth place in the standings.

In Division Two, Horndon-on-the-Hill secured a terrific five wicket win against leaders Loughton.

The hosts were bowled out for just 199, with Sandeep Malhotra (3-47), Jeff West (2-34) and Connor Hammond (2-46) excelling.

West’s 81 not out was the knock which saw Horndon home in the 45th over.

In Division Three, Stanford le Hope lost to Ardleigh Green by 94 runs. Adam Knight scored 93 runs and took two wickets.