JESSE Ryder inspired Essex as they dominated the first day of their County Championship clash with Leicestershire at Grace Road.
With the Eagles still pushing for promotion from Division Two, Ryder finished on figures of 5-50 as the hosts were bowled out for 138.
Essex then finished the day on 153-3 to put them firmly in control going into Day Two.
James Foster won the toss and elected to bowl first, with Ryder and David Masters quickly picking up the wickets of Angus Robson (2) and Ed Eckersley (0).
Opener Greg Smith went to Masters for 26 before Josh Cobb (2), Niall O'Brien (4), Robert Taylor (5) and Jigar Naik (4) all fell to Ryder in quick succession, with Leicestershire slumping to 79-7.
Foster only used three bowlers during the innings, with Graham Napier joining the attack and having Freckingham caught behind for just five runs as the hosts reached lunch 90-8.
Dan Redfern was the only bright light for Leicestershire as he reached 50, hitting six 4s and one 6. Tail-enders Charlie Shreck (16) and Atif Sheikh (12) stuck around, but when they were both bowled by Napier, Redfern was stranded not out as his side's innings was finished in the 37th over.
Masters finished on figures of 2-43, with Napier's 3-43 capping off a good bowling day for Essex.
Tom Westley and Nick Browne got Essex off to a steady start in reply, before Westley was trapped LBW by Taylor for 24.
Jaik Mickleburgh (4) came and went four balls later as he was also trapped by Taylor in front of the stumps.
Ravi Bopara joined Browne at the crease and the pair put on 44 runs before Browne was caught behind by Shreck for 44 in 115 balls.
But with eight overs left to play in the day, the rain came to put a stop to the evening session with Essex looking good on 153-3. Bopara (33*) and Foster (36*) will carry on tomorrow morning, with Essex knowing that nothing but a win will be good enough if they are to get promotion.
