BILLERICAY missed out on promotion to division one after a final day defeat to Gidea Park & Romford.

Stewart Rutland’s side pushed for the second promotion place to the last day but could not secure the victory.

However, as it transpired, a Billericay win would not have been enough for them to go up, with Orsett the team to profit after they defeated Belhus.

Rutland’s team won the toss and elected to field first and they reduced the opposition to only 205-9 in their innings. They got off to a terrific start and had claimed two wickets with only six runs on the board.

But then Jamal Francis came to the crease to steady the ship and his 62 was enough to take the visitors on to 103 before the next wicket. Christopher McKie (33) and Michael Pegram (26) also chipped in with good knocks.

Philip Reynolds was the pick of the Billericay bowlers (2-21) with Gary Hynes, Paul Walter and Rutland also claiming two wickets.

Billericay then stepped up to bat and started well, reaching 49 before the loss of the first man (Stuart Hynes – 17) and they moved onto 80 before the next wicket fell.

But there was little support from the middle order with Andy Smith, Paul Walter and David Houghton only contributing 17 runs between them.

John Walter added 21 at the end of the order but Billericay crumbled to 180 all out.

Rutland said his team were ‘gutted’ to miss out on promotion but was proud of their efforts.

“We have had a good season,” said Rutland. “I have seen a lot of our players come on a lot this summer and that bodes well for next year.

“We are gutted not to go up but we knew before the match it would be hard as we felt sure there would be a result between Orsett and Belhus.

“We were unlucky to lose a couple of the games to rain but we also played some poor matches, so with a bit of luck we will be up there challenging again next season.”

Gidea Park & Romford man Peter Collier claimed 3-16 to record the day’s best figures.

Leigh-on-Sea ended the season on a high after they were knocked out of the promotion hunt, as they condemned West Essex to relegation.

Skipper Dean Waller impressed with the bat whilst Joe Sexton did the damage with the ball to ensure Leigh finished the season in mid-table.

An impressive 90 from Waller, with opener Al Lawrence also adding a half-century (56) and Rob Catchpole a helpful 32 carried the home side to 291 in their innings.

West Essex reached 50 on the scoreboard before they lost their first man and it was opener Zia Anwar (47) who top-scored for the visitors. Zohair Jan (39) contributed well before West Essex fell to only 205.

Waller confirmed he has already started strengthening his side for next year, bringing in Old Southendian & Southchurch’s Iain McDonald to strengthen the batting line-up.

“We had a good season and we have had a lot of exciting young players come through. I have been really pleased with the progress made by Paddy Groves, Harry Slack and Joe Sexton amongst others and they will only get better.

“We will enjoy a rest over the winter and come back better than ever.”

Westcliff fell to defeat against champions Hornchurch which consequently meant they have gone all season without success.

An unbeaten century from Jamie Sorrell proved to be enough to see the visitors over the line although the home side started well.

Lewis Groves (45), Adam Pickering (42), Peter Barnes (39) and Leon Sealy (35) were the pick of the Westcliff batsmen, taking them to 190, but it was not enough to help them over the finishing line, with Hornchurch reaching the target for the loss of only three batsmen.

Horndon-on-the-Hill’s safety was ensured a week ago, which was fortunate as they lost to strong finishers Fives & Heronians in a very tight match.

Fives chose to bat and reached a beatable 187 runs before they were bowled out. Horndon came in but fell six runs short in their run chase.