Maximum point start for 2's

Lee Ramduth's reign as 2nd team skipper started in comfortable fashion as a strong 2nd XI demolished a Rayleigh Fairview side, who by their own admission are likely to struggle somewhat this season after the loss of key players.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat on a fine afternoon and they were soon in trouble, as Kane Messenger captured an early scalp and Daryl Forward followed up with 2 wickets. However if the seamers proved difficult to get away on a good looking early season pitch which nevertheless saw the ball stop somewhat, the introduction of the spinners saw Goresbrook firmly in the ascendancy. Toby Maund took 4 for 19 from his 9 overs and Shane Barwick 3 for 18, as the Fairview batsmen struggled to get to grips with the turning ball.

The visitors were shot out for 77 in the 32nd over and any hope that the pitch may hold some demons for the Goresbrook batsmen was swiftly dismissed as Joe Curley came out in aggressive mood. The tall right hander, who had a mid-season run in the 1's last season after a couple of seasons of prolific scoring in the 2's and 3's, hit 13 fours in a sparkling 35 ball 59*, laying down a marker for the 2016 season. His main challenger for the 1's opening spot alongside skipper Kurt Whisker, 17 year old Charlie Thompson, was unbeaten on a more circumspect 13, as Brook cantered home in the 12th over.

Ramduth was delighted and looked forward to a local derby next weekend at Hornchurch Athletic, "We were obviously stronger than usual today with no first team game, so would have expected to win relatively easily, however it will be interesting to see which way a few 1st team selection battles go, as that will obviously impact on what XI we end up with at Hornchurch Ath.

We've got a few players available again after watching West Ham today and Craig Irving and Matt Friend impressed in the 3's today, so I'd expect to have a strong side next week and we'll need one, as I know Hornchurch Athletic will not want to see their 1st XI lose to our 2's..."