1st XI promoted and 3rd XI Champions of Division 8

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by rayleigh

The 1st XI entertained Bentley 2nd XI in a crucial finale to the Club’s league season. Bentley were restricted to just 144 and were all out in the final over. Rayleigh captain Ian Bryant led the bowling attack taking 6–41. Jason Ox (31) was the top scorer in Rayleigh’s reply of 145–6 with support from Danny White (25) and Marcus Cornish (28*). This comfortable 4 wicket win was achieved with nearly eight overs to spare. This result means the 1st XI are promoted to the top Division in the Mid-Essex League for the first time in the Clubs history, a brilliant achievement.

The 2nd XI visited newcomers to the league Rainham. The 2nd XI batted first and scored 169 with Darren Smith leading the batting with 50. Rainham had scored 125 for 2 when rain led to the game being abandoned.

The 3rd XI finished their league campaign with a visit from Herongate 2nd XI. The 3rd XI skipper lost the toss again and the team were asked to bat – struggling to 177. This was achieved with a swift 37 from Adam Vyse opening the innings and a patient 30 from Paul Dudmish ensuring a defendable score was posted. Herongate’s reply started well with an opening partnership of 55 but the middle order were pegged back with 24 overs of accurate spin bowling from George Barker (2–37) and Adam Dudmish (2–26). Herongate ended on 161 for 9 to give the 3rd XI a victory by 16 runs. This result means the 3rd XI are promoted as Champions of Division 8.

The 4th XI travelled to Havering Atte Bower to play their 3rd XI. The 4th XI won the toss and decided to bowl with Havering scoring 163 for 9 and Gary Bush taking 5 for 35. The 4th XI reply was slow on a difficult pitch and they were all out for 119 with Simon Harwood top scoring with 33. Despite this defeat by 44 runs the 4th XI gained 4 bonus points which were enough to see them safely remain in Division 10 next season.

The 5th XI entertained St Andrews, already crowned Division 11 Champions, at Purleigh. The 5th XI restricted St Andrews to 198 for 8 in their 45 overs to earn just 2 batting points. Top wicket taker was Luke Keeley with 3’32, whilst Adam Keeley and Tim Rees took 2 apiece. Special praise to Christian Humphries, who bowled very well for just the 1 wicket. In the field, Chris Grob held 3 catches including the vital one of Boban Vershage. St Andrews’ tight bowling made it difficult for the 5th XI and they were restricted to just 101 for 6 with Gideon Humphries top scoring with 35. This 97 run defeat leaves the 5th XI in 7th place in Division 11 at the end of their second league season.

The Isle of Wight Tour

The Club toured the Isle of Wight during the week and on Monday played a 20/20 game v Porchfield. Batting first Rayleigh scored 133–8. Porchfield scored 128–4 to fall short by 5 runs. Tuesday’s opponents were Northwood and batting first again Rayleigh totalled 200–9. Northwood passed this total for the loss of 6 wickets. Wednesday’s game v Shanklin was washed out by very heavy rainfall during the morning as was Thursday’s game at Ventnor to make a disappointing end to the week’s tour.

The Saturday 6th XI opponents, Billericay, were unable raise a side so an intraclub game was played at Gloucester Park. Murray Hall’s XI scored 120 for 9 and Neil Dobson’s XI replied with 118 for 8 before the rain intervened and the game was abandoned as a draw.

1st XI promoted and 3rd XI Champions of Division 8

The 1st XI entertained Bentley 2nd XI in a crucial finale to the Club’s league season. Bentley were restricted to just 144 and were all out in the final over. Rayleigh captain Ian Bryant led the bowling attack taking 6–41. Jason Ox (31) was the top scorer in Rayleigh’s reply of 145–6 with support from Danny White (25) and Marcus Cornish (28*). This comfortable 4 wicket win was achieved with nearly eight overs to spare. This result means the 1st XI are promoted to the top Division in the Mid-Essex League for the first time in the Clubs history, a brilliant achievement.

The 2nd XI visited newcomers to the league Rainham. The 2nd XI batted first and scored 169 with Darren Smith leading the batting with 50. Rainham had scored 125 for 2 when rain led to the game being abandoned.

The 3rd XI finished their league campaign with a visit from Herongate 2nd XI. The 3rd XI skipper lost the toss again and the team were asked to bat – struggling to 177. This was achieved with a swift 37 from Adam Vyse opening the innings and a patient 30 from Paul Dudmish ensuring a defendable score was posted. Herongate’s reply started well with an opening partnership of 55 but the middle order were pegged back with 24 overs of accurate spin bowling from George Barker (2–37) and Adam Dudmish (2–26). Herongate ended on 161 for 9 to give the 3rd XI a victory by 16 runs. This result means the 3rd XI are promoted as Champions of Division 8.

The 4th XI travelled to Havering Atte Bower to play their 3rd XI. The 4th XI won the toss and decided to bowl with Havering scoring 163 for 9 and Gary Bush taking 5 for 35. The 4th XI reply was slow on a difficult pitch and they were all out for 119 with Simon Harwood top scoring with 33. Despite this defeat by 44 runs the 4th XI gained 4 bonus points which were enough to see them safely remain in Division 10 next season.

The 5th XI entertained St Andrews, already crowned Division 11 Champions, at Purleigh. The 5th XI restricted St Andrews to 198 for 8 in their 45 overs to earn just 2 batting points. Top wicket taker was Luke Keeley with 3’32, whilst Adam Keeley and Tim Rees took 2 apiece. Special praise to Christian Humphries, who bowled very well for just the 1 wicket. In the field, Chris Grob held 3 catches including the vital one of Boban Vershage. St Andrews’ tight bowling made it difficult for the 5th XI and they were restricted to just 101 for 6 with Gideon Humphries top scoring with 35. This 97 run defeat leaves the 5th XI in 7th place in Division 11 at the end of their second league season.

The Isle of Wight Tour

The Club toured the Isle of Wight during the week and on Monday played a 20/20 game v Porchfield. Batting first Rayleigh scored 133–8. Porchfield scored 128–4 to fall short by 5 runs. Tuesday’s opponents were Northwood and batting first again Rayleigh totalled 200–9. Northwood passed this total for the loss of 6 wickets. Wednesday’s game v Shanklin was washed out by very heavy rainfall during the morning as was Thursday’s game at Ventnor to make a disappointing end to the week’s tour.

The 6th XI The Saturday 6th XI opponents, Billericay, were unable raise a side so an intraclub game was played at Gloucester Park. Murray Hall’s XI scored 120 for 9 and Neil Dobson’s XI replied with 118 for 8 before the rain intervened and the game was abandoned as a draw.