Rayeigh Cricket Club’s League season started with three wins and three defeats for the six Saturday League sides.
T Rippon Mid Essex Premier Division. The 1st XI travelled to High Roding 1st XI and batting first were given a good start by Ben Francis (60) but with other wickets falling regularly the ninth and unbeaten tenth wicket stands between Ian Turnbull (52*) and Ian Bryant and Richard Abley proved invaluable to take the total to 215-9. The home side were always in the chase but fine spells from Jim Ewing (5-35) and Jason Ox (3-43) saw Rayleigh home by 16 runs.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 2. Weakened by poor availability the 2nd XI hosted Hornchurch Athletic 1st XI expecting a difficult afternoon. Batting first Rayleigh scored 180-9, Kalpesh Patel (39) top scoring. Hornchurch were bowled out for 51, James Wratten taking 5-33 and Riju 3-16.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 5. The 3rd XI visited Little Waltham 2nd XI who batted first and scored 208-8. Steve Adams (42), Steve Gosling (46*) and John Wright (53*) led Rayleigh to a 5 wicket victory.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 7. The 4th XI were at home to Eastwood 2nd XI who batted first and scored 244-8, Mihir Patel taking 5-48 off 10 overs. In reply only Mark Bailey (30) troubled the bowlers and Rayleigh ended on 167-8 to lose by 77 runs.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 10. The 5th XI entertained Navestock and Ardleigh Green 2nd XI. Batting first Rayleigh totalled 227-7, skipper Phil Hammond scoring 103 with good support from Paul Burgess (38) and Dave Turner (31). In an exciting finish the visitors passed this target in the penultimate over for the loss of 4 wickets.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 11. A young and inexperienced 6th XI travelled to Stambridge to play a similarly youthful but more experienced Rankins 3rd XI. The home side batted first and totalled 255-5, Paul Cox taking 4-29 off his 9 overs. This total was well out of reach for Rayleigh against some good accurate bowling and they were eventually all out for 58.
Beaumont Seymour Ladies League. The Women and Girls XI travelled to play Kelvedon & Feering and batting first scored 76-2, Kelly Castle 26* and Louise Harmsworth 22. The hosts passed this score for the loss of 3 wickets, Louise Harmsworth taking 2-21.
Under 15 Peters Cup. Rayleigh 94-7, Jess Walker (31) and Toby Turner (27) top scoring, R Castle (53 retired) and H Klein (28*) knocked off the runs for Hadleigh U15s without losing a wicket.
Under 13 Bradford Cup. Leigh batting first scored 121-2 off their 20 overs, Senith taking 2-14 and Edward Curtis 2-13. Matt Bumpus (33 retired) and Alex Hernandez (20) gave Rayleigh a good start but still needing ten to win off the last over Rayleigh U13s won off the last ball in a thrilling finish.
