There were disappointing performances from four of the Club’s five league teams on Saturday, with only one batsman scoring more than 50.
The 1st XI visited Little Waltham, who batted first and scored 195–9, Ian Bryant taking 3–41. In reply the 1st XI collapsed to 118 all out.
The 2nd XI entertained Old Chelmsfordians 2nd XI and batting first scored 164 all out, John Stirk top scoring with 55. OCs passsed this total for the loss of 7 wickets, John Stirk taking 3–27 and Nathan Healey 3–41.
The 3rd XI went to Marconi, who batted first and scored 164–8, George Barker taking 5–37. Matt Verrinder and Matt Belcher led the Rayleigh reply of 165–4 to win by 6 wickets.
The 4th XI entertained Rayleigh Fairview 3rd XI and scored 91–9 in their 45 overs, with Gary Bush (34) top scoring. Fairview passed this score without losing a wicket.
The 5th XI went to Upminster to play Havering Atte Bower 4th XI and were asked to bat and at 63–7 looked to be heading for another score under 100. A stand of 48 between Ian King and Brian Dawbarn helped set a reasonable target of 117 on a pitch of very variable bounce. The Havering batters showed better application and took the score to 119 for the loss of 2 wickets.
The Women & Girls XI played a return match against Champions Kelvedon & Feering who batted first and scored 140–1. Coaching to run quick singles backfired badly in Rayleigh’s innings with two senior batters being run cheaply and the team collapsed to 21 all out.
In a friendly the Sunday XI batted first against Mount and scored 200–7, Ian Bryant (102) and Ben Stevens (42) sharing an opening stand of 150. In reply Mount scored 168–6.
South Essex District Peters Cup 3rd round. The Under 15As played Leigh U15s at Rawreth Lane and batting first against some tight bowling and excellent fielding only managed to score 70 all out, a total Leigh passed without loss.
South Essex District League. The Under 15As again found runs difficult to come by against Eastwood and scored 69–6 which Eastwood knocked off without losing a wicket. Pegasus & Corringham U15Bs scored 103–4 against Rayleigh U15Bs, Sam Martin taking 3 wickets. Daniel Harrington (37*) led the Rayleigh reply and the winning run was hit off the last ball to win by 6 wickets. The Under 13Bs played Hadleigh U13Bs, who batted first and scored 135–6. In reply Rayleigh scored 86–9. The Under 11As played Hadleigh U11s and won comfortably, Matt Dobson hitting 26 off 12 balls and the Under 11Bs beat Orsett U11Bs by 61 runs, Harry Donaghue and Joseph Peppiatt both taking 3 wickets.