Weekly Round Up (w/e 28th May)

The first team finally were able to play a home game on the main pitch and it coincided with the skipper winning his first toss of the season! Rob elected to bat on a very good looking surface. The visitors went to task and kept it very tight for the first few overs with some disciplined bowling. For once the skipper didn’t fall first. Francis trying an extravagant shot and missing, followed closely by the skipper being bowled at the other end. Cook and Ox steadied the ship and put on an 89 run partnership for the 3rd wicket, but Cook (50) fell shortly after drinks. Two more quick wickets followed with the opposition resorting to spin which stemmed progress. Harmsworth played well for 19 and built an excellent 51 run partnership with Ox. Everitt’s swashbuckling 25 brought up the final batting bonus point and Ox unfortunately was caught on 96, agonisingly short of what would have been a brilliant ton. There was some interesting tail-end running between the wickets, with Abley throwing in countless unnecessary dives, adding valuable runs at the end for Rayleigh to end 239 all out.

The run chase got off to a poor start for the away side with Frost and Verrinder bowling brilliantly and picking up a wicket each to leave them 7-2 in reply, but with some luck and good judgement they also built a 3rd wicket partnership. Their skipper fell after putting on 66 for the next wicket and then another fell to leave them 4 down before drinks. A captains huddle was needed, another match was hinging on a key wicket. 12 balls after Littler’s Churchillian-like speech the 5th and key wicket was delivered thanks to Everitt who was bowling with too much pace for the South Loughton youngster. The game was still in the balance with the run rate good but wickets running out. Harmsworth took 2 in a great spell and a smart run out from the Captain brought the 8th wicket, but unbelievable with the opposition 189-8, a 9th wicket partnership started to develop. The big guns were brought back but to no avail. Slowly the needed runs melted away but then in the penultimate over Everitt got one to lift and the catch was smartly taken to a jubilant crowd that gathered from all the other games in the county it seemed. 6 balls left, 1 wicket needed for Rayleigh and 6 runs for South Loughton. Could Verrinder be the Thrifty Trev of last week? He kept his calm and kept the runs away… 3 now needed from 2 balls. Then a flash at a wide one, no one knew where it was heading, especially the batsman, but through cover to the boundary was the result. Devastation for the home team and supporters

Another amazing game of cricket for the 1st XI. Everitt ended with 3-46 and Harmy 2-37 as the pick of the bowlers.

The 2s travelled to Saltcoats Park to play South Woodham Ferrers 1st XI. Losing the toss, Rayleigh were asked to field first. Despite tight bowling from John Isherwood (7-0-34-1) and Xavier Garms (8-0-28-0), South Woodham were able to post 266-3 from their 45 overs. Jake Ashworth recording figures of 9-0-46-2.

Rayleigh never really got going in response, losing opener Steven Lynch for a duck and a Rayleigh batting collapse followed closely thereafter. Only John Isherwood (18), Jake Ashworth (11) and Matt Walker (11) were able to make double figures. Unfortunately, Rayleigh fell 172 runs short, finishing on 94 all out from 35 overs.

The 3rd XI welcomed Great Baddow 2nd XI to the Old Ground. The opposition won the toss and batted first, posting 203-8 in 45 overs. Captain Nunn was the pick of the bowlers taking three wickets (9-3-30-3), supported by Freddy Noble (8-0-24-2).

Despite the runs on the board, Rayleigh were unfazed. Neil Noble and Sam Keene shared a terrific 151 opening partnership, with the former reaching three figures in the 40th over after over two hours at the crease! Sam Keene (52) and Steve Sully (23*) also batted with patience and control which helped the 3s win by 9 wickets and four overs remaining!

The 4th XI travelled through the road blocks for an early fixture at Great Braxted against Great Totham 3rd XI. Captain Peps lost the toss (for the first time this season) but the opposition elected to bat first… a decision that would prove unwise as the match unfolded.

Rayleigh started strongly with a wicket in the first over of the game, thanks to Geoff Morgan. All Rayleigh bowlers contributed in another excellent bowling display, but Geoff was really the standout this week recording figures of 8-2-24-5. Outstanding work from the vice skipper!

With Great Totham reduced to 92 all out before 1pm, Rayleigh were able to knock the runs off, in a mature fashion, in 23 overs. Simon Harwood was the standout with the bat, scoring 42*, supported by Steve Rothon (23).

The 5s welcomed Chignal 1st XI to the third ground at Rawreth Lane. Ray lost the toss and the opposition elected to bat first, scoring 140 all out from 36 overs. Everyone chipped in with wickets, but a special mention to Umer Khan for taking four wickets – which included a hat-trick – ending with figures of 8-0-36-4. Well done, Umer!

Rayleigh started poorly, with three wickets falling quickly. Despite this, James Geddes (23*) and Ray Hart (24) steadied the ship until Ray was run out. James Offer came to the crease and swatted an incredible 44 runs from only 14 deliveries (including 7 fours and 2 sixes, at a strike rate of 293) – seeing the 5s home with 15 overs remaining.

The 6th XI visited Hannakins Farm to play East Hanningfield and Great Burstead 3rd XI. Captain Lennox won the toss and batted first. Some lusty blows from Phil Hammond (72* from 67 balls) helped the 6th team to 141-4 from 40 overs.

Unfortunately, the opposition were able to knock the required runs off in 30 overs.

The 7th XI had a memorable visit to Herongate for a friendly match. Herongate won the toss and batted first, posting a rather incredible 309-5 from 40 overs. Oliver Church was the pick of the bowling, recording figures 8-0-52-3.

Unfortunately, the 7s could only muster 49 from 22 overs – losing by 260 runs. Jack Andrews top scored with 16 runs.

Let’s hope it’s a more even game next week…

In another tight game, the Ladies XI travelled to Mountnessing to play Hutton Ladies. Winning the toss, Rayleigh batted first and posted 79-8 from their 20 overs.

Thanks to some excellent bowling from all Rayleigh bowlers, Rayleigh were able to restrict Hutton to 77. Jodie Billett (4-1-5-3) and Georgia Wilson (4-0-10-2) were the pick of the bowlers.

Well done, Ladies!

The Hawks hosted Wickford Wolverines at Rawreth Lane. Batting first, Rayleigh scored 103-5 from their 20 overs. Oliver Barker (27*) and Harry Rixon (24) leading the scoring. Despite some good bowling from Rayleigh, Wickford chased down the total in 16 overs.

Well done to Chloe Martin (2-0-25-1) and Harry Rixon (2-0-19-1) who picked up the only wickets of the innings.

The Hawks played Stanford-le-Hope Sabres on 24th May. The opposition batted first and posted 125-6 from 20 overs. Well done to Joseph Collins (2-0-6-2) and Oliver Guinn (2-0-13-2) who took two wickets each.

In reply, Rayleigh lost wickets at regular intervals and finished 45 runs short on 80-8 from 20 overs. Riley Hughes top scored with 13, backed up by Prajin Raja with 11.

The Hawks hosted Orsett and Thurrock Knights on 23rd May. Orsett batted first and scored 141-2 from 20 overs. Naiyan Shah and Jacob Janda taking the only wickets. In reply, Rayleigh started well with good knocks from Oliver Guinn and Oliver Barker but unfortunately the tail didn’t wag and Rayleigh could only manage 88-9.

Keep going, lads!

The Eagles travelled to Southchurch Park to play SOSEMT Scorpions. The opposition won the toss and put Rayleigh into bat, who scored 65 all out from 14 overs. Josh Francis top scoring with 26.

Unfortunately, the Scorpions chased this down in only 7.4 overs with all ten wickets in hand.

The Owls played Westcliff Pumas on Sunday in a cup fixture. Batting first, Rayleigh scored 92-2 from 20 overs. Thomas Barker (25*) and Arvin Ghataura (25*) top scored. Thanks to some superb bowling, Westcliff were restricted to 48 all out from 18 overs. All bowlers contributed, but well done to Arvin who took two wickets (3-1-7-2).

The Owls march on to the semi final of the SECPG T20 U11 East Cup!