A disappointing week after last week’s successes and much improved availability with two wins and three defeats for the five Saturday League sides in action. Still not scoring enough runs in most teams with one notable exception this week.
T Rippon Mid Essex Premier Division. The 1st XI entertained Old Chelmsfordians 1st XI and elected to bat first. Four players scored 20 or more runs, Dan Frost (33), Will Nolde (26), Jon Cook (24) and Jason Ox (22) but no one was able to build a big match winning innings and the side was bowled out for 151. Once again this did not seem to be a competitive score. However, the visitors fared even worse at the crease and from scores of 17-3 and 49-7 their innings ended on an all out score of 82, Shaun Du Plessis (4-29) and Ian Bryant (3-22) to give the 1st XI a win by 69 runs
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 2. The 2nd XI travelled to play Ingatestone 1st XI who batted first and scored 213-9, Chris Frost taking 3-58. As with the 1st XI four players scored 20 or more, Mark Acraman (35*), Will Wheeler (24), James Ellis (24) and Andy Impey (20) but the innings closed on 171-8 to leave the side still looking for a first victory.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 5. The 3rd XI hosted neighbours Rettendon and Rayleigh Fairview 3rd, who batting first scored 179-5, Mike Law taking 2-25 and Sam Verrinder 2-42. In reply Jess Walker (81) showed a welcome return to form and supported by Jack Nolde (43) led the team to victory in the 31st over.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 6. The 4th XI went to play Basildon & Pitsea 2nd XI and batting first on a pitch of varying (very little) bounce were bowled out for 104, Neil Noble (29) top scoring. The home side had no such difficulties and cruised to victory in the 22nd over for the loss of two wickets with Mihir Patel taking 2-16.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 9. The 5th XI travelled to play Division 8 side Navestock 2nd XI, who batted first and totalled 127-9, Aaron Mayfield (4-32), Sam Levett (3-20) and Sam Skillett (2-19). Disappointingly only Andy Lynch (41) was able to master the home side’s bowling and the team subsided from 61-1 to an all out total of 106 to lose by 21 runs.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 10. With only 9 teams in the Division the League 6th XI was without a league game.
The 6th XI batted first in a friendly against Galleywood 4th XI and totalled 136-7, Richard Verrinder retiring not out for 57 for his 4th fifty in successive weeks. Galleywood passed this total in the 32nd over for the loss of just 1 wicket (a superb left handed slip catch by Phil Wolff) with four of the visitors players also retiring not out.
The 7th XI hosted Westcliff 4th XI at Lake Meadows, Billericay and batting first Westcliff scored 246-9, James Balkwill taking 3-35 and Paul Cox 3-46. In reply Rayleigh were bowled out for 108 with only Duncan Baldwin scoring over 20 (25).
Beaumont Seymour League. The Women and Girls XI entertained Old Chelmsfordians and batting first were bowled out for 63, Freya Barnard (21). The visitors passed this target without losing a wicket.
South Essex District Board Under15s East League. Playing at home against Old Southendians the visitors batted first and were bowled out for 90, James Bumpus taking 2-24 the other wickets being shared around. In reply Rayleigh scored 91-2, Sam Harmsworth (38*) and James Bumpus (28*).