Two wins and four defeats for our six Saturday League sides. However, a highlight was the 1st XI victory which ensured their position in the Premier Division for next season and another was a 38 ball hundred for Sam Verrinder in a friendly against a touring side.
T Rippon Mid Essex Premier Division. The 1st XI hosted bottom of the table High Roding and batting first scored 247-9, Jason Ox (89), Joel Barnett (40), Will Nolde (33) and Ben Francis (31) leading the scoring. This target looked well beyond a mainly very young High Roding side and they were bowled out for 75, Luke Sullivan (4-14), Ian Bryant (4-24) and Matt Gilmore (2-11) taking the wickets. This result means the 1st XI finished in 8th place and will play in the Premier Division in 2018.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 2. The 2nd XI visited Eastwood 1st XI who batted first and benefitting from a number of dropped catches scored 209 all out, Dan Frost taking 4-55 and Elliot Ward 2-43. In reply Rayleigh were bowled out for 111, Steven Lynch 28 in three overs and Kalpesh Patel (28) top scoring. They finish 4th in the Division.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 5. The 3rd XI entertained high flying Navestock 1st XI who batted first and were bowled out for 188, Will Wheeler taking 5-39. Rayleigh chased this target valiantly Will Wheeler (33), Darren Smith (30) and Matt Bumpus (27) leading the scoring but fell agonisingly short by 7 runs to finish 6th in the Division.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 7. The 4th XI travelled to bottom of the table Burnham Sports 2nd XI, who batting first scored 104-10, Sam Levett taking 3-13, Nick Green 3-16 and Richard Mantell 2-14. Rayleigh passed this target for the loss of 4 wickets in the 22nd over, Brad Walker (35) and Nick Green (32) top scoring. They finish 5th in the Division.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 8. Bottom of the table Willow Herbs 2nd XI came to play the 5th XI who batted first and scored 169-6, Owen Davies (49), Steve Rothon (37) and Sam Martin (36*). The visitors passed the target in the penultimate over for their first win of the season but the 5th XI were safe at 6th in the table.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 10. The 6th XI went to play Hornchurch Athletic 4th XI and batting first and put on 109 for the 1st wicket, David Cox (77) and Dave Turner (57) and finished on 181-6. The home side reached the target in the 34th over for the loss of 3 wickets.
Midweek friendly:
Peartree (touring side from Southampton area) – 240-6 (40 overs), Tom Lopez 4-24
Rayleigh 232-10 (38.5 overs), Sam Verrinder (104) scoring 50 off 20 balls and 100 off 38 balls including 7 fours and 10 sixes, Steven Lynch 31