One win and four defeats for the Saturday League sides on a miserably damp afternoon. Another good win for the Women & Girls XI.
The 1st XI entertained Ingatestone 1st XI who batted first and scored 227-7, Matt Gilmore (3-19) and Jason Ox (3-59) leading the bowling but the team conceded 47 extras – mainly wides. Andy Impey (80*) and Jon Cook (86) put on 150 for the 3rd wicket to lay the foundation which enabled Rayleigh to pass this score with the loss of 5 wickets.
The 2nd XI travelled to Terling 1st XI and batting first were bowled out for 102, Adam Keeley (46) top scoring. The home side passed this score for the loss of 6 wickets, Alan Patmore taking 4-23.
The 3rd XI fixture against St Johns Billericay 1st XI was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch.
The 4th XI hosted Hockley who batted first and scored 247-9, Richard Mantell taking 3-42 and Tom Godfrey 3-47. In reply, Rayleigh scored 177-7, Steve Gosling (50) leading the scoring.
Galleywood 2nd XI were the visitors to the 5th XI and batting first scored 142-8 with Tony Catling leading the bowlers with 3-29. Rayleigh were then bowled out for 108, Tony Catling (40) and Richard Verrinder (30) leading the scoring.
The 6th XI travelled to Dagenham to play Goresbrook 4th XI. The home side elected to bat and totalled 178-6. This target looked well out of reach but a good partnership between Alan Brown (37) and Phil Hammond (23) followed by a quickfire 25 from Conor Slough hinted at a possible victory but when Conor was out the 6th XI fell 20 runs short for the loss of 9 wickets.
The Women & Girls XI hosted Great Waltham and bowled the visitors out for 59, Louise Harmsworth taking 3-21 and five wickets falling to run outs. Rebecca Holyoak (27*) and Kelly Castle (25*) knocked the runs off to finish on 63-1
The Under 15As played Belhus Under 15As in the Peters Cup and collapsed to 13-6 after 5 overs. Mihir Patel and Joe Peppiatt steadied the ship and Rayleigh closed on 88-8 but Belhus passed this target to win by 4 wickets with 9 balls to spare, Alec Bateman taking 3-22.
The Under 13As played Hadleigh Under 13As in a South Essex District league match, Hadleigh scoring 108-5 in their 20 overs, Elliot Ward taking 2-9 off 4 overs. Jess Walker (26*) led the Rayleigh reply but they finshed on 86-5 to lose by 22 runs.
The Under 13Bs were also in action against Leigh Under 13Bs in a B league match and scored 93-3, Harry Bailey (19*). Leigh proved too strong and passed this total without losing a wicket.
