High Roding moved back to the top of the Mid-Essex League Premier Division with a victory at newly promoted Stock on Saturday. Stock won the toss and invited Roding to bat on a wicket that had already been open to the elements. Allan Fairlie Clarke and

High Roding moved back to the top of the Mid-Essex League Premier Division with a victory at newly promoted Stock on Saturday.

Stock won the toss and invited Roding to bat on a wicket that had already been open to the elements.

Allan Fairlie Clarke and Matt Everitt found it difficult and a rain break saw them lose concentration and shortly after their wickets.

Mel Hussain joined Everitt at the wicket and these two put the innings back on the rails before rain.

Matt Hammond was the next to suffer, but Adam Holdgate and Everitt took the score past 180. Matt Everitt was eventually stopped on 99 as Roding's innings finished on 245-7 just five runs short of maximum batting points for the second time this season.

The Stock side came out very positive at first, but when the opening bowlers were replaced by Clarke and Sargent the run rate fell dramatically and they could only muster 100-7 off their 42 overs

Pick of the bowlers was Sargent (4-25), and Clarke (0-28) and Angus Burns 2-18.

Roding host Pegasus and Corringham on Saturday, 1.30 start, while on Sunday, Roding take on Copdock and Old Ipswichians in the Area Final of The National Village Knock-Out Competition at 2pm.

- The seconds game against Elsenham was rained off. They visit Stansted on Saturday.