Another absorbing week of cricket with three wins and two defeats for our Saturday league sides, who had opposition.
T Rippon Mid Essex Premier Division. The 1st XI entertained Aythorpe Roding 1st XI who batted first and were bowled out for 186 in the 39th over. Mark Acraman taking 4-38, Dan Frost 2-24, Aaron Acraman 2-32 and Ian Turnbull 2-35. Wickets fell regularly in the reply but a fifth wicket stand of 75 between Ben Francis (34) and Skipper Jason Ox steadied the innings but then three more wickets fell cheaply. An eighth wicket stand of 57 between Will Wheeler (35) and Jason revived the home side’s hopes but when two more wickets fell the game was in for a tense finish. With Rayleigh needing 2 runs to win with 1 wicket left Jason hit the ball in the air to offer a difficult chance to the visiting side but the catch was not taken. Jason (53*) hit the next ball for four to give Rayleigh a one wicket victory. Not quite the excitement of Lords but still nerve jangling.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 2. The 2nd XI travelled Basildon & Pitsea 1st XI, who batted first and were bowled out for 183, Elliot Ward taking 3-26 and Graham Herbert 3-37. In reply Rayleigh were bowled out for 144, James Ellis (37) and Matt Lennox (28*) top scoring.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 5. The 3rd XI hosted Writtle 2nd XI, who batting first scored 219-7 Kalpesh Patel taking 5-30 and Mike Law 2-29. In Rayleigh’s innings Kalpesh Patel (93*) and Sam Law (76*) steered the team to an eight wicket victory.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 6. The 4th XI travelled to Ingatestone 2nd XI, who batting first were bowled out for 254. Tom Godfrey taking 5-47. Phil Wolff (76) and Colin Mayor (60) led a spirited reply but the innings closed nine runs short.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 9. Boreham 2nd XI were due to play the 5th XI but have dropped out of the League leaving the team without a game.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 10. Woodham Ferrers 3rd XI came to Rawreth Lane to play the 6th XI, who scored 213-7 in their 40 overs, Dave Turner (74) and Richard Verrinder (63) started well and put on 146 for the first wicket. There followed some good hitting from Jack Andrews and Jon Chase to post a very good total. The visitors struggled after both openers were run out cheaply trying to chase the run rate and were finally bowled out for 97, Joe Athol (2-4), Senith Fernando (2-16) and Paul Cox (2-22) for a much needed win for the 6th XI.
The 7th XI hosted Westcliff 4th XI at Wickford Memorial and invited to bat scored 161-5, Neil Noble (61) and Alan Brown (56). Westcliff were bowled out for 133, James Balkwill (4-13), Freddie Noble (2-30) and Aaron Mayfield (2-33) being the pick of the bowlers.
Beaumont Seymour League. The Women & Girls XI travelled to play Great Waltham who scored 162-4 in their 20 overs. In reply Rayleigh scored 67-1, Marie Kelly (27*).