10th June 2000

E.C.C. V RAYLEIGH

After a shaky start this was a vital game against the basement boys. Geoff Claughton was given the responsibility of captaining and begun well by winning the toss and inserting Rayleigh. Soon winless Rayleigh were in trouble at 18-2 helped by an amazing catch by Phil Essex one handed over his head to remove the dangerous Walker for 6. Rayleigh threatened at times to reach a more than respectable score but each time ECC struck, helped by good outcricket. One of these times was when Catling was at the wicket as he struck 25 of 23 Balls before the returning Lewis had him caught behind. This led to an incredible passage in play where 8 succesive maidens were played out before Mitty ended the innings with two wickets of the final two balls to leave ECC 101 to win. Normally ECC struggle to get these low totals but on this occasion Buck and Rob tore in to Rayleighs opening bowlers with relish amassing an opening stand of 76 in just 17 overs. Eventually both were dismissed in the 30s before Ian Gandy and Nic Woollard saw us home with 20 overs to spare. This was a good win against poor opponents and it is vital that we continue to win to stave off the threat of relegation.

RAYLEIGH 100 ALL OUT. Lewis 12-4-34-4 Read 12-7-16-1 Mitty 10.5-2-22-3 Claughton 10-4-18-1

E.C.C 101-2 Jones 38, Gregg 32, Gandy 1 no, Woollard 10no

E.C.C won by 8 wickets

MAN OF THE MATCH- PAUL LEWIS

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