LEIGH-ON-SEA recorded their first win of the season as they reached a revised total to get the better of Horndon-on-the-Hill on Saturday.

Dean Waller’s team were winless in their first five Division Two games of the season and faced a side who had lost just one of their first five but they impressed against the Thurrock outfit.

And Waller said it was a relief to get over the line and pocket the 20 points.

“We did well,” said Waller. “They started well but we pegged it back. The bowlers did very well and we contained them. They lost wickets and we restricted them to a good target.

“We haven’t had any lucky so far but something clicked on Saturday. We were 141-4 after 20 overs and then the target was revised so we needed just needed 18 off the remaining 11 overs.

“We have a very good bowling department and I think we will kick on from here.”

Horndon won the toss and elected to bat first but they didn’t get off to the best start as Mike Canavon went for one after three balls, trapped LBW by Dan Cocking.

But Tom Stone (40) and Damien Sweet (30) took Essex to 86 before the former was dismissed.

The rest of the order failed to score meaningfully, with Jack Walsh (20) and Jack Marson (17 not out) the best of the rest as Horndon were bowled out in 35.5 overs.

Paddy Groves (3-33), Matthew Curtis (3-34) and Alex Camp (3-47) were the pick of the bowlers for Leigh.

Leigh were set a revised target of 159 as rain began to fall and they started well before Iain McDonald’s quick-fire 23 off 18 balls was brought to an end.

Fellow-opener Jon Edwards batted through the innings, ending on 55 not out, with Waller (37) the other main contributor including two massive sixes.

Leigh reached the target with 17 overs to spare and win by six wickets.

Wickford beat Old Southendian & Southchurch by 106 runs to win their first match of the season.

The visitors won the toss and built a strong total of 230 in their 49.3 overs.

Although Dale Kinsley went for a golden duck to leave Wickford on 16-2, Dean Etchells steadied the ship and made 73 in a fine innings as he was ably assisted by the lower order.

Adam Rendall (3-27), David Johnson (2-31), Matt Austin (2-34) and Sam Hodgson (2-56) were the pick of the home bowlers.

And the Old Boys couldn’t match that total, with Rob Johnston (28) and Max Craddock (20) the only two to get into the twenties, with the home side all out for 124.

Reece Pinchback had a fine game, taking 4-21 in just 8.1 overs, with Bhakta Das (3-22) also having a good game along with David Cole (2-18).