Weekly Round Up (w/e 21st May)

Last week the sun finally came out and all planned fixtures were played! There were plenty of good batting and bowling performances this week and wins for the 1st and 4th XI in the league, with wins also recorded for the Vets, Sunday XI and U13 Hawks.

Welcome to your latest round up of all results and club news for RCC!

Date	Fixture/Event	Description
Tuesday 23rd May	U13 Hawks vs. Orsett &Thurrock CC (H) U15 Eagles vs. SOSEMT Scorpions ()	SECPG U13 League, 17:30 start time SECPG U15 League, 17:30 start time
Wednesday 24th May	Evening League XI vs. Hadleigh CC (H)	Evening League, 18:00 start time
Thursday 25th May	Outdoor Training	Nets training for adult teams @ 18:00
Friday 26th May	Ladies XI vs. Hutton CC (A) U13 Hawks vs. Wickford Wolverines (H)	Essex Women’s T20 League, 18:00 start time SECPG U13 Cup, 18:00 start time
Saturday 27th May	1st XI to 7th XI Games	Scheduled adult fixtures
Sunday 28th May	U13 Hawks vs. Stanford Le Hope Sabres (A) Sunday XI vs. Springfield 2nd XI (H) U11 Owls vs. Westcliff Pumas (A)	SECPG U13 League, 09:30 start time Friendly fixture, 13:00 start time SECPG U11 Cup, 17:30 start time

On a very sunny but blustery afternoon, the 1st XI travelled to Ilford Catholics who won the toss and elected to bowl on a very interesting looking wicket. It was dry on top but what would it do from underneath?

The skipper didn’t hang around long enough to assess the conditions, edging to first slip who took a sharp catch. Ben Francis was batting well at the other end, but Cooky fell for 7 bringing Jason Ox to the crease. The bowling was tight and runs were proving difficult to come by, not helped by a very, very slow outfield. They contrived a good partnership and when Francis was out for 29 they had built a foundation for the team. Unfortunately 2 more wickets fell quickly without the score progressing. Isherwood batted well and managed to hang around with Ox, but was unlucky to lose his wicket to a sharp catch at point. Sam Harmsworth (12) then came to the crease and played some classy shots to add 24 with Ox. Turnbull (12) managed to do the same before getting caught out in the deep. Abley was all swing and no ding but helped put on 27 for the 9th wicket, supported by Trevor Nunn who made sure Rayleigh got the 3rd batting point by sticking with Ox who was in hit out mode. Ox was the final wicket and scored 73, which on that wicket, and outfield, was as good as a ton. At the end of the 2nd innings, Rayleigh set Ilford a target of 178 – the match could go either way.

Rayleigh opened up with seasoned veteran Trevor ‘Cowboy’ Nunn who was on the money as always with his wily away swingers. Abley opened up from the other end, playing his first match since midsummer last year, was not so accurate and looked like he’d been away longer. Nevertheless, Abley got the breakthrough with Ilford’s aggressive opener not handling the pace and popping one up to Ox at mid-wicket. Abley then got a second with a beauty that clipped top of off to have the opposition 2 down quickly. Ilford then got in a groove with some nice shots and a partnership building. It was time to bring on Turnbull and Ox to try and get the 3rd, which worked with Turnbull getting one to hold it’s line and trap the batsman in front. Unfortunately, by drinks, Ilford were looking good. Turnbull managed to find something extra after drinks and got Ilford’s very good youngster out with a flick to midwicket with Ox leaping like a salmon and managing to hang on. The skipper then decided to change the pace and bring himself on for a bowl. What a moment of inspiration (even if he does say so himself) – bowling wicket to wicket and offering very little. 3 edges went begging but a wonderful delivery hitting the top of off got a key wicket and then a second came with a well-crafted slower ball. Rayleigh were back in the game. Ox came back to get his first wicket and all of a sudden Ilford were struggling on the run rate. With 2 overs remaining they needed 13 and had 2 wickets left. Harmsworth was the only man for the penultimate over. After a quick chat from the skipper, who reminded him that they didn’t offer us any tea, he was energised and got a superb wicket bowled through the gate. Ilford attempted a quick single to Ox, which was never on the cards, and following a quick pick up and good through straight to the gloves, Rayleigh thought the game was done; however, it was given not out. Harmsworth saw out the over unfazed and they now needed 6 to win from the last. Thrifty Trev was never going to let that happen. A superb over leaking just the single won it for the away team by 4 runs. Another great game but let’s try and win the next one a bit easier.

Written by Rob ‘Inspired Change’ Littler, 1st XI Captain

The 2s welcomed Hatfield Peverel to Rawreth Lane on Saturday. A massive thank you to Matt Walker, Brad Walker, Paul Harmsworth and others for their support with ensuring the new ground was ready for league cricket this weekend. Hatfield Captain Andy Cheek won the toss and elected to bat first. Rayleigh were able to take a quick first wicket, thanks to some tight bowling from Xavier Garms (9-3-21-1), but Hatfield fought back with a 65 run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Nevertheless, excellent pace bowling from Phil Everitt (8.3-1-53-3), supported by Nick Greens away swingers (8-1-23-2) and some well flighted spin from youngsters Henry Murrell (4-0-24-2) and Jake Ashworth (5-1-16-2), Hatfield could only manage 179 and were bowled out in the 44th over.

In response, Rayleigh started strongly with Steven Lynch hitting 8 fours and two sixes to reach 50 from only 30 balls (click here to watch Steve’s innings). Once the 1st wicket partnership was broken, wickets tumbled quickly for Rayleigh with only Sam Law (26 from 52 balls) troubling the scorers.

The scheduled 3rd team fixture was cancelled due to Broomfield not being able to field a side due to illness. The 3s secure 26 points and move onto week four of the league undefeated and in top position.

Captain Peps won the toss (again) and decided to field first against Chelmsford Spartans. Zach Skillett opened the bowling and produced a fantastic spell, taking three wickets for only 17 runs (6-1-17-3). RCC debutant Olly Bennett opened from the Crouch End and bowled much better than his figures suggest, holding down the Spartan batters – welcome to the 4s, Olly! The opening bowlers were backed up by excellent spells from Freddie Ashworth (6-1-36-0) and Sam Skillett (8-0-27-3), the former not taking a wicket but showed great control. Mike Law finished off the Spartan line up with a superb three wicket haul, despite being hit for 12 in his first over (4-0-25-3). After what can only be described as a fantastic showing from all Rayleigh bowlers, Chelmsford Spartans were ‘skilletted’ out for 144 from just 33 overs.

In response, Rayleigh started well with Josh Francis and Simon Harwood sharing a 66 partnership for the first wicket. Josh Francis improved on his score from last week, notching up a superb 53 from 82 balls. James Balkwill returned to form as well, scoring a patient 33 from 55 balls – which included 6 fours. Despite some last minute wickets, Tom Peppiatt (8*) and Mark Bailey (2*) had very little to do and saw Rayleigh home with 9 overs to spare.

The 5s travelled to Margaretting to play Galleywood 3rd XI. Ray won the toss and elected to bat, posting 188-9 from their 40 overs. James Offer impressed once again, scoring a ‘swashbuckling’ 59, supported good knocks from James Geddes (38) and Richard Verrinder (30*) – the latter carrying his bat.

The only Rayleigh bowler to leave a mark on the Galleywood line up was James Geddes, who took two wickets from seven overs (7-0-22-2). Unfortunately, the Galleywood were able to chase down the target in 36 overs.

The 6s hosted a rather strong Old Chelmsfordians at Rawreth Lane. Winning the toss and batting first, Rayleigh could only muster 89 and were bowled out in the 34th over thanks to a rather strong bowling attack…

In reply, OCs knocked the total off in under 20 overs. Umer Khan (5-1-16-1) and Kat Mayfield (3-0-21-1) taking the only wickets.

The 7s hosted Maldon 4th XI at Wickford Memorial Park. Paul won the toss and fielded first. Maldon were able to post 159-9 from their 40 overs, with some great spells of bowling from Aaron Akers (5-0-15-2) and Robin Peppiatt (5-0-19-2).

In reply, Rayleigh started well with good contributions from Terry Martin (33 from 40 balls), Robin ‘OMP’ Peppiatt (29* from 71 balls) and Paul Cox (27 from 52 balls) – but finished an agonising 16 runs short.

The Sunday XI made the long journey to Tillingham, with Captain Harmsworth winning the toss and batting first. Rob Littler started well but was caught from a top edge. Some lusty blows by Mike Mayfield (23 from 19 balls), alongside a perfectly paced 50* from Sam Harmsworth put Rayleigh in a good position. Unfortunately, five quick wickets hindered progress until James Offer got the crease. James smashed 63* from only 41 balls, which included 8 fours and 3 sixes, leaving a total of 222-8.

Tillingham started well but capitalised on some occasional wayward bowling. Quick wickets from Sam Keene (5-1-26-1), Rob Littler (7-0-32-3) and Marc Smith (5-0-41-2) put the match back in Rayleigh’s favor until Tillingham’s number three returned to the crease (resuming on 50*). In an attempt to rotate the strike, Tillingham’s number 11 was run out thanks to the quick thinking of Terry Martin and nimble glove-work from Mike Mayfield.

Rankins won the toss and batted first, putting on 150 all out from 20 overs. Ryan Hart was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets in one over (2-0-3-3)!

In reply, another fantastic opening wicket partnership of 83 was put on between Sam Keene (36*) and Josh Francis (35*). Unfortunately, wickets fell quickly and Rayleigh finished on 146-5… four agonising runs short.

You can watch highlights of the game below:

Rayleigh fielded first against Westcliff U13 Panthers. After some great bowling from all Rayleigh bowlers, Westcliff finished on 83-9. Miller Poole was the pick of the bowlers (2-1-5-2). In reply, Rayleigh chased down the total in 18 overs – Oliver Baker top scoring with 19.

Rayleigh hosted Old Victorians at Rawreth Lane. Batting first, Rayleigh posted 193-6 from 40 overs. Colin Mayor top scored with 50*, supported by Simon Lennox (36), Mark Bailey (32) and Brad Walker (36*). In a tight game, Rayleigh were able to win by 9 runs thanks to some excellent bowling by Colin Mayor (4-1-18-3) and Steve Adams (8-2-34-2).

Well done to Jason Ox who is your player of the week!