Fives & Heronians 239-5(dec)
Basildon & Pitsea 153-a/o
(Division Two)

FIVES stretched their lead at the top of the Division Two table following this 86-run drubbing of Basildon and Pitsea at the Paddock.

The hosts found themselves invited to open the batting and got off to an excellent start with Gary Edwards and Dan Stevens putting together a good partnership before the latter was removed on 27.

Edwards continued at the crease, and - thanks mainly to Glenn Jackson (38), Terry Ballard (35) and Chris White (26) - the Chigwell-based club continued to rack up the runs.

In the end Edwards finished at the crease on an excellent 84 not out. This was coupled with an undefeated knock of 14 from Josh Peters to push Fives to a very useful 239-5 from their allotted 52 overs. Asif Abbas (3-73) and Steve Brown (2-86) secured the only home wickets.

With Steve Brown (18), Abbas (14), Ross Marder (10), Joe Mclver (37) and Danny Gray (26) the only Basildon batsman to make double figures, the visitors never looked able to chase down Fives total.

The home attack was led by Johnny Kay, who finished with figures of 6-39 from his 19 overs. Both Tom Clark and Chris White also enjoyed productive afternoons with the ball, picking up two wickets each.