After a disappointing league season a few friendlies were played in September.

Saturday 8th September

The Friendly 1st XI travelled to Woodham Mortimer and bowled the home side out for 131 with James Ellis (3-0), Alan Brown (3-34) and Toby Turner (3-23) leading the bowling. The Rayleigh reply was led by Andy Impey (57*) and Sam Law (45*) and the winning post was reached in rapid time for a 9 wicket win.

The Friendly 2nd XI hosted Chelmsford VI XI in a hastily arranged friendly and Rayleigh batted first and scored 221-4 in their 40 overs – Steve Adams (44), Jake Gibson (41), Sam Harmsworth (44*) and Brad Walker (60*) leading the scoring. In reply Chelmsford struggled and were 1-3 at the end of the first over bowled by Cameron Mantle. The visitors continued to struggle in the face of tight bowling and were all out for 91.

Saturday 15th September

The Friendly 1st XI hosted Willow Herbs and scored 250-5 in their 40 overs – led by Andy Impey (67), Sam Law (54) and Jess Walker (30). Willow Herbs made a valiant attempt at chasing this total but were finally beaten by 4 runs with Ian Turnbull (2-12) and Aaron Mayfield (0-13 from 6 overs) the stand out performers.

The Friendly 2nd XI hosted Eastwood, batted first and scored 162 – Darren Smith (57) leading the scoring. This never looked enough to defend and Eastwood reached their target in under 30 overs scoring 163-2 only David Hall taking 2-28.

Saturday 22nd September

A very wet day was forecast and the final match of the season against St Clements was reduced to a 20-20 game. St Clements batted first and scored 180-3 with two batsmen reaching rapid 50’s and only Ian Bryant restricting the scoring rate. Rayleigh’s response was led by Jon Cook (41) and Sam Law (57) but they were unable to match the 9 an over rate required and the innings closed on 139-4 and a 41 run defeat.

Only two wins for the six Saturday league sides but they were the vital wins for the 1^st and 3^rd XIs, which mean they have both avoided relegation.  

T Rippon Mid Essex Premier Division.  The 1st XI travelled to play a rebuilt Brookweald 1^st XI in a crucial game needing a win to give them assurance of safety in this final week of the League season. Batting first the home side batted confidently and totalled 209 all out in the 43r^d over, Luke Sullivan taking 3-36.  Rayleigh started badly losing a wicket with the first ball of their innings but Jon Cook (92*), Ian Turnbull (38) and Ben Francis (40*) saw the 1^st XI home in the 42^nd over for the loss of 2 wickets to ensure their place in the Premier Division next year. The victory proved essential as their nearest rivals Rettendon won and would have overtaken Rayleigh had they lost.

Continue reading “Weekly report – 1st September 2018” →

Another better week for the Club with two wins and two by default for the six Saturday league sides and wins for the 1^st and 3^rd XIs mean they have given themselves the opportunity to avoid relegation.  

T Rippon Mid Essex Premier Division.  The 1st XI hosted fellow relegation strugglers Rettendon 1^st XI in a crucial game to give the winning side an advantage going into the final week. Batting first the visitors started quickly and were 84-1 after 17 overs. The introduction of Ian Bryant (2-7 off 10 overs) and Chris Frost (2-18 off 10 overs) stemmed the scoring rate down to 100 after 33 overs and the innings closed on 161-8 in their 45 overs. Rayleigh started more slowly but with sensible batting and good running between the wickets Jason Ox (65*), Luke Sullivan (29) and Ian Turnbull (27) saw Rayleigh home in the 34^th over for the loss of 4 wickets.  The 1^st XI now need to win against bottom side Brookweald to ensure they remain in the Premier Division.

Continue reading “Weekly report – 25th August 2018” →

A slightly better week for the Club with two wins, one by default, for the six Saturday league sides but two sides are almost certain to be relegated and two others will have to win remaining games to survive.  

T Rippon Mid Essex Premier Division.  The 1st XI hosted top of the table Springfield 1^st XI and batting first scored 150-8 in their 45 overs, Jon Cook (50), Luke Sullivan (29) and Ben Francis (25) leading the scoring. The visitors knocked off the required runs in the 17^th over without losing a wicket.  The 1^st XI now need to win both of their last two games to avoid relegation.    

Continue reading “Weekly report – 18th August 2018” →

The bad run of results for the Club continues as all six Saturday league sides lost again some quite heavily principally because we are not scoring enough runs and as a result the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 5^th elevens are in the relegation zone of their respective Divisions.

T Rippon Mid Essex Premier Division.  The 1st XI travelled to play Goresbrook 1^st XI and batting first made a bright start at 49-0 but the introduction of spinner, Shane Barwick, brought about a collapse and the innings subsided to an all out total of 122, Will Nolde (34) and Jason Ox (33). The hosts knocked off the required runs for the loss of three wickets in the 23rd over, Elliot Ward taking 3-30.

Continue reading “Weekly report – 11th August 2018” →

T Rippon Mid Essex Premier Division.  The 1st XI hosted Canvey Island 1st XI who batted first and were bowled out for 165 in the 39^th over, Ian Bryant taking 4-29 and Sean Du Plessis 4-35. This did not look a competitive score on a good wicket but Rayleigh made a dreadful start losing 2 wickets for 0 runs in the first over. However, Jason Ox (71) and Ben Francis (30) pulled the 1^st XI back into contention and with 12 overs left and needing 4 runs to win with 3 wickets remaining a welcome win seemed on the cards but in another twist of fortune Canvey took the 3 wickets without another run being scored to leave the visitors winners by 3 runs.  

T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 1.  The 2^nd XI travelled to play Hornchurch Athletic 1^st XI, who batting first posted 243-5, Kelly Castle taking 2-35. Once again this score proved well beyond the 2^nd XI who are struggling since being promoted to this Division and they were bowled out for 131 in the 33^rd over, Chris Frost (28) and Jess Walker (23).

Continue reading “Weekly report – 4th August 2018” →