Pride of place this week goes to Under 11A side who won the South Essex District League final on Sunday morning. One win and three defeats in four friendly Saturday games
A 1st XI went to Rankins and batting first totalled 267-1, George Barker 129* and Nick Gosling 101*. However the hosts passed this score in the 38th over for the loss of 5 wickets.
A 3rd XI played at Rettendon who scored 245 in their innings. In reply Rayleigh scored 225 in their overs, Darren Smith (74*) and Sam Verrinder (37*) top scoring in an 8th wicket partnership of 106*.
A 4th XI travelled to Eastwood and scored 209. In their innings Eastwood fell short by 19 runs.
An extra XI hosted a Tillingham XI in a rather one sided game. Tillingham 222-6 in their 40 overs. Rayleigh posted 95-9 in reply Chris Slough scoring 30*.
Rayleigh Under 11As played Thurrock U11As in the final of the South Essex District League in 20 over ‘Terrier’ match, where pairs of batters bat for 4 overs and if out lose 5 runs but stay batting for their 4 over quota. Each team starts with a score of 200 runs to avoid the possibility of a minus score. Rayleigh batted first and scored 290 for the loss of 3 wickets, net score 275. Some excellent bowling and fielding saw Thurrock lose wickets regularly and they finished on 257-7 net 222 to give Rayleigh victory by 53 runs in an excellent all round performance. Congratulations to the boys and to their coaches Mike Sullivan and Mark Bailey.