U11A vs. Benfleet

Rayleigh U11A 284 – 2   (Net 274)
Benfleet U11A  260 – 7  (Net 225)
Rayleigh won by 49 runs.

Team: Conner S (Capt), Matt D, Mahir P, Josh J, Alex B, Alex D, Harry M, Craig S, Owen B and Henry H

On what turned out to be a wet and bitterly cold Sunday morning at Rawreth the U11A team welcomed local rivals Benfleet in the first league encounter of the season.

Losing the toss we were asked to bat by Benfleet on what turned out to be a slow wicket where timing the ball was to prove difficult and with the outfield wet it would take some really good shots to get any return. Skipper Conner and debut boy Alex D opened the batting and played very well indeed accumulating runs and not losing a wicket against a good opening spell from Benfleet. In fact we batted very well indeed as a team, good running, sound defense and patience proving to be just what was needed as the runs began to flow. Good shots from Alex B, Josh J and Matt D all finding the boundaries and great support  and running from Henry H, Harry M, Mahir P, Owen B and Craig S saw us reach a very demanding total of 284 – losing just two wickets along the way for a total of 274.

Benfleet took the field in their reply and were soon in trouble against a pacey opening spell from Matt D and Harry M who clean bowled the Benfleet opener in his second over. This was followed by some great work in the field as good work from initially Conner S and then Josh J saw two further wickets fall to run outs.

Good spells from all the lads – all bowling their two over slots economically with not many wides saw Benfleet lose a further 4 wickets before the end of their innings with wickets for Henry H (bowled), Alex B (bowled), Conner S (bowled) and Josh J (bowled).

Really pleasing was the way the boys supported and encouraged each other and the way we collectively fielded as a team with good backing up and ground fielding.

A great start to the campaign and we look forward to our next league match against Rankins later in the month.