WEST ESSEX cricket club got their season off to the best possible start with a highly-impressive victory over Basildon & Pitsea in the Essex League Cup.

Despite their opponents sitting two divisions higher than them, West Essex took the game to Basildon, as debutant Wajid Khan (58) and Irfan Riaz (47) batted superbly.

Their total of 230 for nine proved just enough for the local side, as Danny Footman (3-28) helped nullify the reply, with Basildon falling just three runs short.

West Essex face Ilford this Saturday in the second round.