Saturday saw the start of a new season for Rayleigh Cricket Club with all five Saturday teams who had been in the League last year in a higher Division and the sixth XI playing in the League for the first time. In a week of mixed fortunes three teams won and three lost.
The 1st XI travelled to High Roding and batting first scored 171 all out, Matt Williams (32), Marcus Cornish (26) and Danny White (26) top scoring. This total was not enough and the hosts passed this score for the loss of 4 wickets.
The 2nd XI were at home to Rainham 1st XI and batting first totalled only 141, only Nick Gosling (51) mastering the bowling. Sree took 4-34 in the visitor\’s reply but did not stop them winning by 4 wickets.
The 3rd XI were away at Rettendon 2nd XI and scored 253-3, Kalpesh Patel (122*) scoring his first century for the Club and Adam Dudmish (46) leading the scoring. In a tight finish the hosts fell short by 22 runs, James Wratten taking 5-41.
The 4th XI entertained East Hanningfield & Great Burstead 2nd XI who batted first 210-4. The 4th XI passed this total for the loss of 5 wickets, Phil Wolff (67) and Brad Walker (36) top scoring.
The 5th XI hosted Wickham 1st XI in the first game on the new third pitch at Rawreth Lane. Frank Tennyson (26) led the scoring in an all out total of 150. The visitors passed this total for the loss of 8 wickets with Andy James taking 5-35.
The 6th XI travelled to Bentley 4th XI who batted first and looked set to score a large total but when Max Jones bowled the opener for 71, the innings collapsed to an all out total of 144, Conor Slough taking 6-38. Jack Himpfen-Jones (34), Max Jones (25*) and Conor Slough (20) led the visitors to a 3 wicket victory.
Lyndhurst played the Sunday XI at Rawreth Lane and Rayleigh scored 164 all out. The visitors were bowled out for 129, Ian Bryant taking 6-31.
The Women & Girls XI went to Maldon but only totalled 81-9, Sophie Lennox scoring 19. Helped by poor fielding by the visitors Maldon passed this score for the loss of 4 wickets.
The Under 13As opened their campaign with a Cup match against Thurrock Under 13s. Thurrock scored 101-3 and Rayleigh scored 102-3. (see Thurrock u13 vs. Rayleigh u13).
