Another disappointing weekend with a distinctly end of season feeling to it with only one win and five defeats for our Saturday league sides with nothing to play for in terms of possible promotion or relegation.
T Rippon Mid Essex Premier Division. The 1st XI entertained high flying Rainham 1st XI and batting first were bowled out for 119, only Shaun Du Plessis (24) making any impression on the scoreboard. The visitors passed the target in the 25th over for the loss of two wickets. A disappointing end to the season finishing in 5th place in the Division.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 2. The 2nd XI went to play Woodham Mortimer 1st XI. They had the home side 20 for 5 at one stage but allowed them to recover to all out score of 162, Trevor Nunn taking 3-16, Chris Frost 2-19 and Richard Abley 2-31. Yet again the team’s batting let them down and they subsided to an all out total of 95, despite a valiant half century from Kelly Castle (51). This defeat confirms their position at the bottom of the Division and relegation to Division 3 next season.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 5. The 3rd XI hosted Hornchurch Athletic 2nd XI and batting first scored 143 all out, Steve Adams (46), Martin Sanderson (36) top scoring. The visitors knocked off the required runs in the 29th over without losing a wicket. This result leaves the 3rd XI in 7th position in the Division.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 6. The 4th XI travelled to Noak Hill Taverners 2nd XI, who batted first and scored 211-8 in their 45 overs, Cameron Mantle taking 4-29. This target proved well out of reach for Rayleigh, who were bowled out for 143 in the 39th over, Matt Walker (47) and Mihir Patel (34*). This result leaves them in 6th position in the Division.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 9. The 5th XI were involved in the only close game of the afternoon away at St John’s Billericay 2nd XI. Batting first Rayleigh were bowled out for 198, Phil Hammond (67). In their innings the home side passed the target with four balls to spare, having lost 7 wickets, Sam Levett taking 3-38 and Glenn Coleman 3-45. This result leaves them in 7th position in the Division.
T Rippon Mid Essex League Division 10. Tillingham 3rd XI came to Rawreth Lane to play the 6th XI who batting first amassed 249-3 in their 40 overs, Richard Verrinder (104) and Dave Turner (71) put on 193 for the first wicket and Jack Andrews (27*) then joined in to push the total to 249. The visitors started well in pursuit of this target but subsided to an all out score of 190 in the 39th over, John Attfield taking 3-6. This result leaves them in 7th position in the Division.
The 7th XI played Westcliff 4th XI at Westcliff High School for Boys. Westcliff scored 155-4 in their 35 overs, wickets being shared around. Rayleigh were always behind the run rate against some accurate bowling and were bowled out for 106, Mike Mayfield top scoring with 36.
The Under 13 8 a side team had two good wins during the week. Rayleigh scoring 156-2 in their 20 overs against Westcliff, James Balkwill (50) and Jake Ashworth (40). In reply Westcliff scored 116-2. Rankins scored 116-2 which total Rayleigh passed for the loss of 3 wickets.