First cab off the rank in division two this season was Rainham IV's visit to Boxley II. The home side owed their win to Steve Neilson who went unbeaten in his singles, but he was made to work hard, especially by Phil Hayes, who was only bettered 11-9 in the fifth. Phil was a two time winner against skipper Paul Paulding and "newcomer" Shane Simmons, last seen wielding a bat at RACS Gravesend in the 1970s. Rad Lackan and Tony Parry went unrewarded in their singles, but Rainham recovered to take the doubles 3-1 to restrict their loss to just 7-3

Written by: Michael Sheppard