A youthful Orsett & Thurrock side were narrowly edged out by Hainault & Clayhall in the Shepherd Neame Essex League.

With an average age of 24, Orsett won the toss and started well with Umar Ayub (50) hitting a half century.

But although four more batsmen got into their twenties none were able to kick on and get a big score with the total 193 come the close of the innings - a score that did not look enough in the conditions.

It took 60 for the first Hainault wicket to fall but good contributions from Etinder Bopara (43) - brother of Essex player Ravi - and Maruf Chowdhury (40 not out) to guide the home side past the target for the loss of seven wickets in the 44th over.

Paul Bennett took 2-22 while George Pavitt, Joe Mitchell, Tom Redman and William Gibbon all took a wicket each.

The result sees Hainault close the gap to Orsett & Thurrock in Division One to just eight points.

The second team were victorious against Belhus - Mark Sansom with 96 - although the 3s were beaten by Oakfield Parkonians - despite David Harries’ figures of 5-49.