The Seconds didn\’t fare as well – only one win against Broomfield II, thanks to 99 not out from Willie Leadbeater, left promotion dreams in tatters. In fact, it looked like the 2\’s were in the usual relegation battle from the start. The Thirds were doing just as badly, with just one win in four, despite a 83 from Tom Osborn and 70* from Luke Hedges.

The Fourths, under first-time skipper Tom Neave, won two games and the team was looking stronger than ever with some new players and promising youngsters. A returning Dean Leighton scored his maiden ton with 104* against Hutton V, whilst Richard Verrinder\’s 75* against Chelsmford V showed he was a valuable new asset to the club.

The future of sunday cricket looked uncertain – with two official RCC games resulting in a win and a draw, the \’merger\’ with Ransomers looked to be the way forward, as the Sunday\’s gained some new quality players, which would mean they could really compete once again.

Player of the Month: John Wright (212 runs)

The story of the month came from the Thirds as they smashed an RCC record total of 377 for 5 against Hullbridge II. An opening stand of 242 between John Stirk (106*) and Tom Osbourn (155) lead the way as Rayleigh won by 268 runs – a record winning margin. With two more wins in the month, the Third\’s season started to pick up, rounded off with 113 from skipper Danny Curwood against Ecko Monarchs.Danny mysteriously disappeared afterwards, leaving Darren Smith to captain the side for the rest of the season.

The Fouths continued their good run, beating both Hutton V and Pegasus IV, with Murray Hall scoring a career best 94* in a total 232 for 4. The Sundays beat South Fambridge and Ingatestone, with new signings Richard Mantell scoring 70* at Ingatestone, and Paul Spratt taking 5 for 5 against South Fambridge.

Player of the Month: Tom Osbourn (240 runs)

The Seconds started to win a few crucial games to take them away from the foot of the table. A win against strugglers Sandon Sports, with Simon Harwood and Matt Barnes both making 70\’s, and Broomfield eased relegation worries.

Wins against Hockley and Galleywood gave the Thirds a chance of catching the top two teams in Division 10, but then three straight defeats against other teams also chasing promotion effectively ended the Thirds chances.

The Fourths failed to win in July, including a close 1-run loss to Rayleigh V XI in an inter-club game. The Sundays lost three in a row until they convincingly beat Leigh-on-Sea by 103 runs, thanks to another ton from Danny White and 61 from Paul Spratt, and Richard Abley\’s personal best bowling performance of 5 for 16. There were also two losses for the Mid-week XI at Leigh and at Witham, where Rayleigh chased an improbable 328 for 7.

Player of the Month : Danny White (583 runs)/Richard Abley (21 wickets)

An injury to skipper Andy Thurogood saw him take over scoring duties for the 2\’s for the rest of the season, meanwhile wins against Hockley and Great Baddow saw the Seconds safe, ensuring Division 7 cricket next year. The Thirds finished strongly, with wins against South Woodham Ferrers in a memorable cliff-hanger that finished in almost pitch-darkness (not before The Old Git had thrown a strop and left the field), and at Ecko Monarchs, with John Stirk and John Suckling setting up the win with a 165-run opening partnership.

The Fouths failed to win in August, despite some good performances, noteably Dave Atfield\’s 88 against North Weald V. The Fifths were in action again in a return inter-club match with the Fourths, beating them by 79 runs.

The Sundays finally got a win at Herongate after years of getting beaten over there, and the President\’s Match took on a new format this year with an Over 40\’s vs Under 40\’s match, in which youth triumphed over experience.

Off the field, the big summer event was the Part In The Park, which was agreat success.

Player of the Month : Danny White (430 runs)

The Seconds finished in style, with a superb innings of 137* from Phil Wolff coming in at number 6, to beat relegated Sandon Sports, leaving the 2\’s to finish a disappointing 7th, their lowest league position since 1994. The Thirds were beaten in their final match at Hockley to finish a lowly 6th in Division 10. Losses from the Fourths and Fifths wrapped up a pretty unsuccessful month for the rest of the club.

The Sundays finished off well beating Margaretting and Navestock, with Craig Baird getting his first ton with 121. Jon Cook capped of a great month with the bat with his third fifty in the month, with 69* in a win at Navestock.

Player of the Month : Matthew Gilmore (8 wickets)

Bowling
Mike Law 5-16
Richard Abley 5-16
Jason Manze 4-24
John Stirk 4-25
Mike Hillis 4-25
Matt Gilmore 3-8
Peter Davenport 3-10
Matthew Verrinder 3-13
John Suckling 3-14
James Wratten 3-22
Ellis Shepherd 3-27
Mitul Patel 3-41
James Robinson 2-25