Peters Cup 1st Round vs Rayleigh Fairview

Rayleigh 109 for 3 off 20 Overs

Fairview 98 for 9 off 20 Overs

Rayleigh won by 11 runs.

Team: Christian H (Capt), Sam L, Luke K, Gideon H, George B, Nick B, Adam K, Nathan H, Lloyd S, Hugh K and Matt C.

With all ash-delayed personnel now safely returned from overseas we were able to field a near full-strength side in the 1^st Round Peters Cup match against local rivals Fairview on a bitterly cold but sunny early May evening.

Winning the toss and electing to bat we made steady if unspectacular progress against what was a fairly accurate and varied opposition attack. The early loss of Nathan brought George to the crease and, despite some struggles against the spinners, he was to carry his bat for a well-made 33* putting on a fine partnership with Lloyd (34) for the 3^rd wicket. Our total of 109 for the loss of just 3 wickets was, perhaps, 10-15 runs below par and we still need to learn how to rotate the strike with singles rather than swinging and missing a lot of the time!

Some fine accurate opening bowling from Luke (2 for 9 in 3 overs) and Matt put Fairview well behind the required rate. And despite some good middle order batting coupled with some less than efficient fielding (cold hands and brains!) a steady loss of wickets was too much for Fairview who ended up 11 runs short.

Special mention to wicketkeeper Hugh who stopped everything behind the stumps in tricky conditions for keepers.

Round 2 will be at Rawreth on Wednesday 19^th May against Stanford-le-Hope or Pegasus.