With England playing their World Cup quarter final match in mid-afternoon on Saturday availability was even worse than in recent weeks but there was some consolation in that this also affected our opposition. The Club had two wins for our Saturday league sides.
T Rippon Mid Essex Premier Division. The 1st XI entertained second placed Bentley 1st XI who batted first and surviving two difficult early chances the openers put on a century partnership paving the way to a final score of 294-8 in their 45 overs, Will Nolde taking 5-36. For the second week running Rayleigh lost four early wickets cheaply meaning the prospect of a heavy defeat looked inevitable but contributions from Luke Sullivan (35) and 2nd XI captain Chris Frost (78) gave the reply some respectability finishing on 215 in the 42nd over.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 1. The 2nd XI travelled to Tillingham 1st XI who batted first and scored 279-5, Richard Nolde taking 3-72. Only James Ellis (34) showed any resistance as the side collapsed to an all-out score of 80 in the 18th over.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 5. The 3rd XI hosted Billericay St Johns 1st XI who batted first scored 232-5 in their 45 overs. Mark Bailey (76*), Matt Verrinder (71) and Sam Law (57) guided the 3rd XI to victory by 7 wickets in the 42nd over.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 7. The 4th XI went to top of the table Boreham 1st XI. Batting first Rayleigh scored 287-4. Under 11 coach and manager Tom Osbourn (109*) making a welcome return to League cricket, Brad Walker (73) and Neil Noble (39) leading the scoring. In reply Boreham were bowled out for 157 in the 31st over, John Wright taking 4-40, Mihir Patel taking 2-23, and Matt Walker 2-29.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 8. The 5th XI travelled to East Hanningfield 2ndXI and batting first scored 198-6, Richard Verrinder (59), Dave Turner (54*) and Duncan Bond (40). This score was never going to be enough and the hosts knocked off the required runs for the loss of 4 wickets in the 30th over, Paul Cox taking 2-45.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 10. For the first time for several years the 6th XI were unable to fulfil their fixture.
Beaumont Seymour League South Division. A depleted Rayleigh Women & Girls XI went to Kelvedon & Feering and batting first scored 94-2, Rebecca Holyoak (27*) and Louise Harmsworth (25*) in their 20 overs. Kelvedon passed this target without losing a wicket.