A marginally better week than last week with one win and five defeats for our six Saturday League sides despite very poor availability with players going to Madrid and half-term holidays and still not scoring enough runs in some teams.
T Rippon Mid Essex Premier Division. The 1st XI entertained newcomers to the Division Great Totham 1st XI and winning the toss elected to bat first. Four players got to score more 20 or more runs, Adam Vyse (28), Toby Turner (23), Nick Gosling (22) and Dan Frost (20) but none could convert that into a big score and the side was bowled out for 172 in the 37th over, which did not seem to be a competitive score. In the visitor’s reply wickets fell fairly regularly but an excellent spell of bowling from debutant, Richard Nolde (5-22) saw the visitors fall short by 13 runs in a nervy finish to the game.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 2. The 2nd XI travelled to play Brookweald 1st XI who batted first and scored 193-8, Nick Green taking 3-20 and Chris Frost 3-47. Steven Lynch (118) and Matt Verrinder (55) gave the side an excellent opportunity to get their first win of the season but the innings closed on 222, two runs short of victory.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 5. The 3rd XI hosted South Weald 2nd XI, and batting first scored 243-9, Jack Nolde (62) and Sam Verrinder (46*). Although this seemed a useful score, the visitors passed this target in the 43rd over for the loss of 4 wickets, Sam Verrinder taking 2-31.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 6. The 4th XI went to play Rainham 3rd XI and batting first on a difficult pitch scored 126-9, Matt Walker (25) and John Wright (21). Rainham found runs equally hard to score but passed the target for the loss of 2 wickets in the 36th over.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 9. Batting first at Margaretting against Galleywood 3rd XI the 5th XI totalled 173-6, Chris Grob (44), Duncan Bond (36) and Steve Rothon (35). The home side passed the target for the loss of 2 wickets in the 33rd over Kuldeep Paik taking both wickets.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 10. Rainham 4th XI were the visitors to the 6th XI and batting first were bowled out for 204, Jack Andrews (3-37), Aaron Akers (2-32) and Mark Callaway (2-32) being the pick of the bowlers. Richard Verrinder (86) led the reply and almost carried his bat but was last man out with the team making 184 in the 37th over to lose by 20 runs.
Beaumont Seymour League. The Women and Girls XI travelled to Chelmer Park to play Chelmsford Willows who batting first scored 145-9 in their 20 overs, Louise Harmsworth taking 4-45. This target was well beyond Rayleigh who finished on 68-7.
Under15s Peters Cup. Playing against Rankins, the Under 15s scored 114-4 in their 20 overs James Balkwill (32*) and Aaron Mayfield (24). In reply Rankins scored 86-8, James Balkwill 2-10 and Archie Callaway 2-13.