Ardleigh Green eased to an eight-wicket victory over Stanford in their penultimate Division Three outing of the season.

Captain Chris Cook put the home side into bat after winning the toss and saw openers bowlers Chris Haylett and Aaron Hills have early success.

The new-ball pairing continued to work their way through the Stanford line-up as wickets fell at regular intervals, with Cook (2-13) also getting in on the act.

Haylett wrapped up the innings at just 81 in the 26th over, finishing with fine figures of 5-30 after good support from Hills (3-38).

But Green lost Paul Hurworth without scoring, before Tom Gentle (44) and Cook (33 not out) took them to the brink of their success.

Victory leaves Green in fourth place with a home match against Harlow Town to complete their season at Central Park next weekend.

But the best they can hope for is fourth as they trail third-placed Westcliff by 58 points.