Another weekend of mixed fortunes for our Saturday league sides with two wins and four defeats.
T Rippon Mid Essex Premier Division. The 1st XI went to play bottom of the table Great Totham 1st XI who batted first and were bowled out for 97, Mark Acraman taking 5-37, Sean DuPlessis 3-37 and Ian Turnbull 2-5. Rayleigh knocked off the required runs in the 21st over for the loss of two wickets, Toby Turner (34) and Andy Impey (24*) top scoring.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 2. The 2nd XI entertained Brookweald1st XI and batting first scored 242-7, with both top scorers Ian Bryant (56) and Chris Frost (40) being run out. In a close finish the visitors recovered from 124-6 to passed their target in the 44th over for the loss of 6 wickets with an unbeaten 7th wicket partnership of 119.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 5. The 3rd XI went to play South Weald 2nd XI, who batting first scored 238-7, Callum Mayfield taking 2-43 and Sam Martin 2-49. Neil Noble (56*), Martin Sanderson (33) and Aaron Mayfield (23) top scored as Rayleigh passed their target thanks to a 7th wicket partnership of 80 between Neil and Aaron, with just 2 balls to spare for the loss of 9 wickets.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 6. The 4th XI hosted top of the table, Rainham 3rd XI, who scored 265-7 – Trevor Nunn (3-32) being the most successful bowler. In reply Rayleigh recovered from 56-5 to end up on 210-9, Trevor Nunn and Richard Verrinder both scoring 55.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 9. Galleywood 3rd XI were the visitors to the 5th XI, who batting first scored 164, Phil Hammond (36) and Simon Lennox (25) top scoring. After 20 overs a home victory looked likely but a strong recovery in the last 20 overs saw the visitors home in the 37th over for the loss of 6 wickets.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 10. The 6th XI travelled to Thames RFC to play Rainham 4th XI and batting first on a pitch of variable bounce were bowled out for 87 – only Danny Williams (34) mastering the bowling. Early wickets from Stanley Sanderson (2-20) and Umar Khan (2-18) appeared to give Rayleigh an outside chance of victory but a solid 6th wicket stand saw the home side victorious by 5 wickets in the 21st over.
During the week the Club had a successful tour in Norfolk winning one game, drawing two and losing one.