The game was in the balance until the final two overs, but two sixes from a player called Honeybun left few crumbs of comfort for Carl Holder's side.

Hadleigh began their innings solidly, with Tim Rix promoted to open and finding some much-needed form with 51.

Tom Kistruck (31) and Kalpesh Ellis (33) offered good support, but all three fell victim to the bowling of E Smith, who took six wickets in all and was the main reason why Hadleigh were restricted to 208-9 from their 45 overs.

Hadleigh made a great start with the ball, with Josh Hanley and Jock Speedman each taking an early wicket.

But the visitors could not build on this, and a stand of 90 between Bryce (68) and Warner (49) put Kelvedon on top.

A couple of run-outs gave Hadleigh hope, and with two overs remaining 18 were still required. But wickets in hand gave Honeybun licence to chance his arm, and seal the win for the home side.

Hadleigh

T Rix lbw b E Smith51

O Magnus c E Smith b D Smith11

T Kistruck c Morrell b E Smith31

M Dias b Parsons10

K Ellis b E Smith33

A Douglas c Warner b E Smith11

C Holder b E Smith4

N Ells c Bellamy b E Smith1

J Hanley c Bellamy b Lees16

E Flather not out21

J Speedman not out2

extras17

Total (for 9 wkts)208

Bowling: R Lees 13-0-81-1; D Smith 10-0-40-1; E Smith 15-3-45-6; A Parsons 4-0-23-1.

Kelvedon & Feering

G Bellamy lbw b Speedman6

M Bridger c Kistruck b Hanley1

N Bryce b Dias68

S Warner b Ellis49

R Lees run out34

R Morresll run out6

A Parsons not out14

G Honeybun not out21

extras12

Total (for 6 wkts)211

Bowling: J Hanley 12-2-61-1; J Speedman 11-0-39-1; M Dias 3-0-21-1; N Ellis 5-0-26-1.

The top-of-the-table clash between Hadleigh and Kelvedon's second teams fell victim to the weather.

However, the Sunday XI preserved their unbeaten record in the Hunts County Bats league with a thrilling two-wicket win at Edwardstone.

Chasing 154 on a slow pitch, Hadleigh were indebted to a patient knock of 41 from Martin Grayling, and then some belligerent batting from Russell Tampion, who followed up some excellent bowling at the beginning of the match with 18 not out at the death to see Hadleigh home with four balls to spare.

Edwardstone

A Gooderham c Kistruck

b R Tampion12

Mal Gooderham c R Tampion

b Ambrose38

B Taylor c Evans b Bassett55

J Henderson st Kistruck b Hanley20

R Gooderham b Hanley0

N Spong not out13

extras15

Total (for 5 wkts)153

Bowling: R Tampion 10-3-15-1; S Bassett 10-0-38-1; B Ambrose 7-1-24-1; J Hanley 10-1-38-2.

Hadleigh

J Hanley b Hayton12

G Wiles c Taylor b Hayton0

T Kistruck c Spong b Clark26

M Evans b Hayton11

M Grayling b Clark41

J Rolfe c Gooderham b Henderson3

T Rix run out15

R Tampion not out18

B Ambrose b Clark1

T Hall not out6

extras21

Total (for 8 wkts)154

Bowling: G Hayton 10-27-3; J Clark 9.2-1-36-3; J Henderson 5-1-11-1