Weekly report – 1st September 2018

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

T Rippon Mid Essex Premier DivisionThe 1st XI travelled to play a rebuilt Brookweald 1st 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 43rd 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 1st XI home in the 42nd 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.

T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 1.  The 2nd XI hosted lowly Writtle 1st XI who batted first and were bowled out for 156 in the 44th over, Chris Frost taking 4-29 and Nick Green 3-30. Chris Frost (51) and James Ellis (47) looked to have steered the 2nd XI to a welcome victory but when skipper Frost was out they lost 6 wickets for 10 runs to lose by 3 runs to complete a thoroughly frustrating season and they will be playing in Division 2 next year.

T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 5. The 3rd XI went to play Tillingham 2nd in another crucial relegation game, Tillingham batted first and totalled 206-5 in their 45 overs, David Hall taking 3-26. This looked a daunting target but Steve Adams (57*) and Jess Walker (45*) saw Rayleigh home in the 43rd over to ensure they remain in Division 5 next year and consign Tillingham to relegation.

T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 7. The 4th XI entertained promotion contenders Rainham 3rd XI and scored 160 all out, Neil Noble (47) and John Wright (34) leading the scoring. The visitors knocked these runs off in the 32nd over for the loss of 4 wickets, Sam Levett taking 2 wickets. This result left the 4th XI in 5th Position in the Division.

T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 8.  Beaulieu Park 1st XI were the visitors to the 5th XI, who batted first and scored 188-9 in their 40 overs, Simon Lennox (29) top scoring. The visitors passed this score for the loss of 4 wickets in the 33rd over, Sam Skillett taking 2-22. Finishing bottom of the Division the 5th XI will be playing in Division 9 next season.

T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 10. The 6th Xi visited Hornchurch Athletic 4th XI and batting first the hosts posted 180-9 in their 40 overs, James Dawbarn taking 3-18, Paul Cox (2-30) and Jack Andrews (2-31). Seeming to be well out of the game a late rally led by Kuldeep Paik (56) and Paul Cox (21) brought some respectability to the innings which closed on 152 in the 38th over.