Saturday saw the end of a fantastic season for Rayleigh Cricket Club. The 1st XI needing 3 points from the game to go up as Champions secured 20 points. Despite a heavy defeat the 2nd XI were already promoted to Division 3 as Champions. The 3rd XI needed a good win to be be promoted as Champions and did so in style. Results elsewhere mean the 4th XI are promoted and depending on the outcome of an appeal to the League Committee by another club could also be Division Champions. The 5th XI needed to win to be assured of automatic promotion and their win ensured 2nd place in the table and automatic promotion.
The 1st XI travelled to Writtle 1st XI who batting first scored 164-7, Willie Leadbeater taking 3-25. Rayleigh passed this score for the loss of two wickets, James Ellis (48), Andy Impey (44*) and Jon Cook (41) leading the scoring.
The 2nd XI were at home to second in the table Rainham 1st XI who batting first scored 218-7. In reply all the top order batsmen failed for the first time this season and the team were skittled out for 51.
The 3rd XI entertained East Hanningfield & Great Burstead 2nd XI and scored 248-5 Colin Mayor (55) and John Stirk (41*). The visitors scored 159-8 in reply.
The 4th XI were away at Willow Herbs 2nd XI. The 4th XI totalled 209 all out in the 45th over with Richard Verrinder top-scoring with 88. In a nail biting finish the home side were 209-9 to end the game in a tie.
The 5th XI played Bentley 4th XI at Brentwood and batting first scored 176-5, Steven Lynch scoring 71 and Tony Catling 37. They then bowled out the home side for 88, Neville Dunn taking 3-25 and Shaun Grob 2-4.
The 6th (Dragons) XI visited Chelmsford 6th XI who batted first and scored 133-8 in their 40 overs, Owen Davies taking 4-16. Chris Slough (42) and Conor Slough (32) put on 80 for the first wicket but a batting collapse left the last pair needing to score 26 off the last 5 overs, Dave Billett in his first game since school rose to the challenge and scored 29* to take the team to a 1 wicket victory.
The 6th (Eagles) XI went to Enfield to play Old Ignations and batting first were bowled out for 77, Paul Cox (22) top scoring. The home side passed this total with the loss of 4 wickets.