Old Ranwellians finally recorded a first Victoria Park Community League victory at the seventh attempt

By JONATHAN CLEGG

Old Ranwellians finally recorded a first Victoria Park Community League victory at the seventh attempt with a deserved triumph over League of Ordinary Gentlemen in the opening round of the league's cup competition.

The league newcomers had began their maiden campaign with six straight defeats but broke their duck to reach the second round of the knockout tournament as Ian Gordon and James Culley inspired a 59-run win.

Gordon's composed innings of 49 not out laid the foundations for a steady total, while attractive stroke play from Alex Hudson (30), James Eaton (26) and Culley (26) saw Ranwellians reach 160 for four off 16 overs.

Following his fine batting display, Culley ripped the heart out of the League of Ordinary Gentlemen's top order with two wickets in the opening over and later added a crucial run-out, before Eaton (two for nine) mopped up the tail to secure his side's first win.

Chats Palace also recorded an opening win of the season as Gary Horsman inspired a stunning upset of Masiha.

Horsman hit 39 as Division Four outfit Palace reached 83 for three to overhauled Division Two Masiha's total of 79 with four overs to spare.

Island Community also made history after recording the first cup win of their five-year existence with a crushing five-wicket defeat of London Fields.

Batting first, Robin Friend (23), Killian Lacis (22) and Troy Utz (20) all made starts for Fields, but Island skipper Tanjeem Chowdhury took four for 27 as Fields were skittled for 124 in the final over.

And Chowdhury then smashed an unbeaten 50 off 28 balls, while fellow opener Kirk Flemming (39) and Rob Jones (22) saw Island home with more than six overs remaining.

Khaled Ahmed's unbeaten half-century helped London Tigers to a 60-run win over Wrong'uns.

Ahmed smashed 53 not out, while Ruhel Ahmed (27) and Saiful Khan (20) also made useful contributions in Tigers' total of 168 for three, before Syful Islam's three-wicket haul helped restrict Wrong'uns to 108 for five in reply.

A stunning all-round performance from Erage Alexander inspired Contenders to a 27-run defeat of Victoria Lounge. Alexander clubbed a massive 67 and Orett Holliet offered support with a knock of 23 as Contenders maintained an healthy run-rate throughout their innings, though Al Dunning's two wickets helped Lounge restrict the total to 157.

And Alexander then claimed four for 21 as Lounge duo Greg Rickards (20) and Dunning (13) were unable to prevent a first-round exit.

Pacific caused an upset by inflicting East London Community's second defeat of the season with a thrilling eight-run victory.

Batting first, Shayne Rees top-scored for Pacific with 60, while Justin Roy (37) and Lucius Faisal (32) also scored freely in an imposing total of 173 for six of 16 overs.

And despite a fine partnership between East London pair Altaf Bhat (51) and Ray Domaze (44), crucial breakthroughs from James Gleadow (two for 38) ensured Pacific held on.

A blistering opening stand between Sajid Rehman and Mohammed Fazal helped Caledonian Conquerors prevail against Ditch in a high-scoring clash reduced to 13 overs-a-side.

Rehman (51 not out) and Fazal (47) put on 73 at a rate of almost 15 an over before the first wicket fell and Conquerors went on to reach 158 for two in 13 overs.

The match was evenly placed when Ditch required 68 off the final six overs, but the introduction of Mohammed Siddiqui proved decisive as his spell of four for 26 off three overs secured a 41-run triumph.

Unbeaten half-centuries from Ahmed Rafiq and Mohammed Zubair allowed The Ducks to maintain their unbeaten start to the season with a 22-run defeat of Rose and Crown.

Rafiq (52 not out) and Zubair (50 not out) helped Ducks make a quick start and Husnain Abbas made 38 in a total of 167 for four, while Sean Feeney (44) and Paul Feeney (44) were unable to prevent Rose and Crown from a first-round defeat.

Last year's cup winners Goodmayes were dumped out in the opening round as a fine all-round display from Riv Monsell helped London Wanderers to a 36-run win.

Monsell top-scored with 28 in Wanderers' total of 113 all out, which also included solid knocks from Luke Myers (22) and Rob Morgan (20).

And Monsell then took two for 14, while Jeff Allen claimed two for 28 as Wanderers took regular wickets to ensure Goodmayes were always in trouble as the holders were skittled for 77 in 10 overs.