Two wins and four defeats for Rayleigh Cricket Club’s six Saturday League sides.
T Rippon Mid Essex Premier Division. The 1st XI travelled to play Goresbrook 1st XI, who batted first and scored 262-7. Rayleigh wickets fell regularly in reply and the target was clearly out of reach but Matt Gilmore (36), Ian Bryant (30) and Andy Impey (28) brought some respectability to the all out score of 207.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 2. Goresbrook 2nd XI were the visitors to the 2nd XI and batting first scored 201-7, James Wratten taking 4-50. Rayleigh were bowled out for 115, Steven Lynch top scoring with 48.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 5. The 3rd XI entertained Rankins 1st XI who batted first and scored 290-3 with a good century from their 14 year old batsman. In reply Rayleigh started well with a 51 run opening partnership, but wickets fell at regular intervals and they were bowled out for 106, with Richard Verrinder (24) top scoring.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 7. The 4th XI went to Terling 2nd XI and batting first scored 187-7, opener Mark Bailey carrying his bat for 94 not out. In a very tight finish the hosts needed 9 runs to win with one wicket left. The last over was bowled by 14 year old William Wheeler who restricted the batsmen to 6 runs giving Rayleigh victory by 2 runs.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 10. The 5th XI were away to Bentley 4th XI, who batted first and scored 190-8. Jobin Steven taking 4-31 and Adam Sullivan 2-39. With only 67 runs on the board and 4 wickets down after 23 overs the game looked lost but Alan Brown (73) steered the visitors home to win by 2 wickets.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 11. The 6th XI hosted South Woodham Ferrers 3rd XI. Put into bat the 6th XI struggled against some accurate bowling and excellent catching on a pitch of variable bounce and were bowled out for 123, Dave Turner (48) leading the scoring. The target seemed well within reach but the visitors found scoring difficult and were behind the required run rate for most of the first 30 overs but eventually won by 7 wickets in the 37th over, Rebecca Holyoak taking 2-19 off 8 overs.
Beaumont Seymour Ladies League. The Women and Girls XI travelled to Great Waltham but early in the Rayleigh innings an unfortunate injury to a Great Waltham player who broke her ankle in two places caused the game to be abandoned.
Under 13 Bradford Cup 4th round. Rayleigh Eagles excellent run in this competition came to an abrupt end as they were bowled out for 39 by Orsett & Thurrock U13s, who passed this score for the loss of one wicket.
Under 13 East League. Rayleigh Eagles also lost against Rankins U13s. Rayleigh 97-7 in their 20 overs, Rankins 98-4 in 19 overs.
Under 11 Cup. Rayleigh 258-11 net 203, Westcliff 304-5 net 279. Lost by 76 runs.