After the disappointment of losing their first League game the previous week, Rayne were eager to kickstart their season on Saturday.

Having won the toss they elected to bat and made steady progress against a tight bowling attack.

Mick Richardson (37) helped take the score to 89 in the 25th over before he was bowled, and was shortly followed by Peter Dawson who fell in the same over.

This brought Mark Sainsbury to the wicket who upped the tempo with a brisk 35, sharing a stand of 60 with Dave Dawson.

With eight overs remaining and seven wickets in hand, Rayne were well placed on 164 for three to cut loose and start piling on the runs.

Dave Dawson was run out for a well grafted 73, which brought Nick Hasler to the wicket who shared an entertaining stand of 46 with Richard Whiteside, before Hasler was bowled for 35.

Whiteside went on to complete his half century off of the final ball, and with the help of Jon Sainsbury they posted a useful total of 234 for five. For Rankins Clapp stuck to his task well by bowling 11 overs and taking two for 48.

Requiring over five runs an over, Rankins were after a solid start on which to build an attack.

Thanks to some fine early bowling this wasn't the case as Richard Dawson (3-45) and Mark Sainsbury (1-39) helped to reduce them to 61 for four in the 18th over.

Warner and Brooking then took charge for Rankins as they increased the run rate with ease against a Rayne attack that lacked any penetration.

Hasler had Warner caught for 70, but by this stage the damage was done thanks to a fifth wicket stand of 134 in the space of just 18 overs.

Brooking (87no) continued his good work with the help of Woods (23no) as they steered the home side to victory with 16 balls to spare.

Rayne will be looking to pick themselves up for Saturday's visit from Old Chelmsfordians. Bluehouse blue

BLUEHOUSE II..............193-8

RAYNE II..........................194-6

(Rayne won by four wickets)

(T. Rippon League Division Eight)

The promoted Rayne Second XI carried on from where they left off the week before with a great victory over the team who finished last season in third place in Division Eight.

Mark Bicknell opened the bowling for Rayne with a tight spell of 12-6-25-1, before Lovatt (63) and Farley (49) threatened to run riot as they shared a stand of 92 before Farley was dismissed by Roger Hasler.

Hasler took two more wickets to end with three for 51, as he and Andy Cooke (2-61) helped keep Bluehouse down to 193 off of their 45 overs.

Rayne lost an early wicket but managed to hold tight, seeing off the dangerous Andrew Flint who recorded figures of 12-3-24-1.

Lee Butler batted sensibly for 51 as Rayne moved towards their target, with Neil Cheatle playing the anchor role.

Two quick middle order wickets fell leaving Rayne requiring 72 from the final ten overs to win.

Andy Cooke came in and played in his normal cavalier fashion, smashing a quick 40 before being caught in the final over with one ball remaining and one required for victory.

Neil Cheatle completed the job as he scampered through for the winning run taking his own score onto 45 not out. Sunday best

RAYNE SUNDAY XI.......187-7

GREAT NELMES...163 all out

(Rayne won by 24 runs)

Rayne maintained their unbeaten start with a good win over Great Nelmes.

Batting first Rayne's runs were scored by Dave Dawson (79) and Colin Richardson (53no) who recorded his maiden half century for the club with some suicidal running. Rayne set Great Nelmes 188 to win off of their 40 overs.

Nelmes got off to a fine start with Smith (60) and Willis (21) sharing 88 for the first wicket.

Bob Hedges then removed both batsman as he swung the game in Rayne's favour as he recorded figures of 8-0-28-3.

Peter Smith (2-37) and Colin Richardson (3-5) wrapped up proceedings leaving Randali unbeaten of 37, with Nelmes 24 runs short of their target.

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