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Playing in their first ever league game in the Mid Essex Premier Division against last years Champions, Hatfield Peverel, at Rawreth Lane the 1st XI bowled the visitors out for 135, Shaun Duplessis taking 4 for 46 and Ian Bryant 4 for 11. Danny White (39), Ian Bryant (34) and Marcus Cornish (27) were the only Rayleigh batsmen to feature in a disappointing reply of 129.
The 2nd XI visited Navestock and Ardleigh Green 1st XI and batting first only totalled 141, (Anees Kaher 42) which the home side passed with the loss of 5 wickets.
The 3rd XI visited Margaretting and also batting first scored 215-7, Alex Jones (68) and Hugh Kirby(37*) top scoring. In reply the hosts were 9 wickets down needing more than 60 to win but an unbeaten last wicket stand saw them finish 4 runs short on 211-9.
Chignal 2nd XI were the visitors to the 4th XI and they batted first scoring 246-9. In reply Rayleigh scored 199-9, Nathan Healey (43) leading the scoring.
The 5th XI travelled to Hullbridge 2nd XI and bowled them out for 66, Andy and David James both taking 4 wickets and Neville Dunn two. The 5s passed this total for the loss of 2 wickets, Duncan Bond scoring 32.
The 6th XI played Westcliff 4th XI and unusually elected to bat, a decision which looked decidedly poor at 22 for 4 but a stand between Mike Sullivan (78) and John Attfield set the innings back on course and the tail wagged to finish on 203-9 declared. Accurate bowling restricted Westcliff to 159 but their last pair survived to draw the match
The Women & Girls XI played their first league game of the season against Maldon on Friday evening and batting first scored 94 (Michelle King 25 retired) and limited Maldon to 80 in their innnings with some excellent bowling to give the team an excellent start to this year\’s season.
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