BILLERICAY got back to winning ways with a 58-run triumph against Hornchurch.

The victory pushed Billericay up to fifth in the Premier Division standings.

And skipper Lee Knight was thrilled by the improved performance.

“I was very pleased with the win on Saturday,” said Knight.

“It was a fantastic all round team performance.

“I was really impressed with our efforts in the field given we were below par in that discipline last week.

“Particularly impressive were some of the lads who didn’t get much of a game with bat and ball, for them to pull together and give it their all for the good of the team was great to see.”

Billericay batted first and made 225/8, with Darren Ironside top scoring with 86.

Ross Poulton added a valuable 33 before Hornchurch were dismissed for 167.

Poulton led the way with the ball for Billericay, taking four wickets for 29 runs while David Houghton took 3-46.

Ironside also took 2-29 and Knight was quick to praise the all-rounder.

“Darren backed up last week’s knock with a fine 86 and then combined with Ross Poulton to play a big part with the ball,” said Knight.

“Ross’ spell was very good too.

“He used all of his experience to limit the run rate and picked up some big wickets in the process.

“That 20-over period was probably where we won the game.”

Billericay now sit 14 points clear of Hadleigh, who are immediately below them in the table ahead of next Saturday’s clash between the two teams.

And Knight is expecting a testing clash.

“Hadleigh will be a tricky game,” said Knight.

“They are strong at home and we will need to adapt well to the conditions and going back into the timed format in order to get a positive result.”

Hadleigh will also head into the contest on the back of a narrow two-wicket defeat against table-topping Wanstead & Snaresbrook.

Hadleigh batted first and made 217.

Adam Soilleux top scored with 72 while Ashley Bennett added 47.

However, Wanstead were able to reach the required total for the loss of eight wickets. Hadleigh initially seemed set for a surprise win with skipper Adam Dobson leading the way with the ball as he took three wickets for 47 runs.

But Wanstead’s number 10 Bradley de Villiers hit a crucial 29 not out from just 12 balls to guide his side to victory.

In Division One, struggling Southend & EMT lost to Loughton by four wickets.