Rayleigh U15A vs Rayleigh Fairview U15

Fairview 84 for 8 off 20 Overs

Rayleigh 87 for 6 off 16.5 Overs

Rayleigh won by 4 wickets.

Team: Christian H (Capt), Gideon H, Sam L, Matt J, Tom P, George B, Lloyd S, Tom G, Matt C, Max J and Josh J

The first reverse league fixture of the season and a 3^rd meeting in as many months with local rivals Fairview. We came second best in a close encounter at Rawreth 5 weeks previous so everyone was keen to redress the balance of local power and restore some pride.

Christian won the toss and inserted Fairview. Our new opening bowling combination of Gideon and Lloyd kept things tight early on going for around 4 runs an over before Matt (4-0-16-2) and Sam (4-1-15-2) came on to get the wickets tumbling, with Tom also chipping in with a couple at the end of the innings. And asked to bowl the 19^th over U11 Josh conceded just 2 runs!

Fairview’s total of just 84 never seemed likely to be enough although it took an excellent 3^rd wicket partnership of 45 between Christian (30*) and Tom (15) to steady the ship after a couple of early losses and we then contrived to lose 4 wickets for the addition of just 3 runs including a hat trick! Luckily Christian’s calm head and a quite superb effort by our other U11 Max (7*) saw us over the line comfortably enough in the end.

We need to build momentum ahead of our remaining league matches and make every effort to have an unbeaten second half of the season.