Weekly Round Up (w/e 18th June)

Rayleigh 1^st XI hosted Writtle at the new ground. The skipper won the toss and after seeing what happened with the wicket two weeks ago decided to bowl first. The Writtle openers came out swinging – would it be a good strategy on a spicy looking wicket? 

They didn’t connect with much, but Philip (31) got them off to a good start. Turnbull got the breakthrough but was expensive. The opposition skipper kept playing and missing but stuck around.  Akash and Ox were brought into the attack and were immediately impactful. Wickets fell steadily with Akash 2-40 and Ox 3-24. The opposition were 97-6 in the first 20 overs, the wicket was deteriorating quicker than the surrounding green belt… Rayleigh needed to get the last four wickets quickly. Unfortunately, the opposition dug in and built a partnership. Time for some inspiration. Time for Rob ‘Inspired Change’ Littler. The skipper bowling spin every week so far went to his “long” run up. Nipping it all over the place and with help from the wicket he found edges galore, one dropped but then finally one taken to break the partnership. In his next over, another wicket with a sharp catch from Akash in short cover. Then he got the grafting opposition skipper Adams (77) with a peach. Next ball the final wicket fell with Juggling Jono clutching the ball to his breast at slip. Littler finished with figures of 4-19 and on a hat-trick!! Nervously, Rayleigh looked at the score of 160.

Rayleigh opened their chase as per the England way with a crunching shot from Francis to the fence.  Unfortunately, he only lasted two more balls and it set the tone from there. Philip 5-28, heard to claim “my bat, my ball” as he opened the bowling after opening the batting as well, was on the money. The ball swinging in late and popping on a length, he was unplayable in that first spell.  Akash decided to use his pads to good effect and in the end adjudged to be caught behind off his thigh pad, which was interesting. Rayleigh were quickly 30-6 and in real trouble. The skipper came to the crease and with Matty V built a partnership with a bit of luck and a decision here or there finally going to the home team.  Obviously, they had been doing too well as within quick succession the Umpire brought himself back into the game with Matty V, trying to flick a leg sided delivery off his pads and then Littler (22) also adjudged to be LBW when he almost bumped into the bowler on his delivery stride. Sammy V (31) and Turnbull (18) put on a valiant 50 partnership for the 9th wicket, Sammy V embedding one shot in the pavilion roof, but unfortunately, they succumbed. The final wicket summed up the day with Turnbull having one pop that took the edge. A disappointing result and tough day but again fight was shown to stem the runs early and then try to win the game at the end.

The 2s made the journey to High Easter in division three. Matt Walker won the toss and elected to bat on a hard looking wicket. Rayleigh started shakily, losing two quick wickets for 21 runs. Matt Walker (25) helped steady the scoreboard and helped Steve Lynch continue building a well constructed 72 runs from 84 balls. Unfortunately, when the skipper was out the wickets tumbled quickly – leaving Rayleigh 150 all out from 37 overs.

In reply, High Easter were 48-4 thanks to some tight bowling from all the Rayleigh bowlers. Unfortunately, a partnership for the 6th wicket developed and High Easter were able to chase down the total in 29 overs.

Dave Hall returned figures of 8-3-26-2 and Xavier Garms, Nick Green and Ben Hoskins all picked up a wicket each.

In a local derby match against Rayleigh Fairview, the opposition won the toss and elected to bat first – a decision that would prove unwise very soon…

Fairview were skittled out for 68, barely putting up a defence against some excellent Rayleigh bowling. Josh Mantle was the pick of the bowlers (6-1-20-4), supported by Mihir Patel (4-1-13-3) and John Wright (4-2-2-1).

Rayleigh were able to chase down the total with ease in 12 overs. James Balkwill (31*) led the scoring, supported by Sam Keene (29).

Captain Nunn marches on triumphant – unbeaten for the year so far.

The 4s welcomed CSK to the old ground in a massive game that could have big impacts on the league.

Captain Peppiatt (finally) won the toss and batted first on a hard-looking wicket. Rayleigh started slowly, with a good partnership between Josh Francis (27) and Steve Gosling (26). Simon Harwood (31) and Tom Peppiatt (22) were able to put on 50 for the 5th wicket, but lost quick wickets thereafter.

A fantastic 70+ runs were scored between Sam Skillett (22 from 12) and Zach Skillett (52 from 25) to help Rayleigh reach a score of 220-7.

CSK made a strong start, putting on 52 runs for the first wicket. Despite this, wickets continued to fall – with the exception of some tail ender bashing. Terrific spells from Sam Skillett and Zach Skillett, aided by some Peppiatt Pies from the skipper, helped secure the win for Rayleigh by 27 runs.

A massive well done to Zach and Sam – both of whom have played for the 4th XI for the last couple of years and are really developing into brilliant players.

The 5s welcomed South Woodham Ferrers to Rawreth Lane, seeking another victory in the league. Captain Marc Smith lost the toss and Rayleigh were asked to bat first.

Rayleigh started strongly, with Dave Turner (55) and Mark Bailey (65) securing a 100 run partnership for the 1st wicket. James Offer then blasted 41 runs, supported by James Geddes (39*) and Kuldeep Paik (36). Rayleigh reached 265-5 from their 40 overs.

In response, South Woodham never really got going thanks to some excellent Rayleigh bowling. James Geddes took three wickets (8-2-24-3), along with Marc Smith (7-0-21-3). South Woodham limped to 197 all out.

South Loughton won the toss and elected to bat. Rayleigh struck after just three balls when a rising delivery from Lewis Mills nicked the edge of Locke’s bat and was caught behind by wicket keeper Phil Hammond. Rory Brown and Sean Collins then steadied the ship for the hosts and built a decent partnership before Bobby Mills had Collins LBW for 33.

Brown continued to impress and reached his century before he was eventually caught by Duncan Baldwin at mid wicket for 111. Godsave added 50 before Umer Khan took two late wickets for the visitors.

Rayleigh began their reply with a steady opening partnership before Simon Lennox was bowled by Phil Mitchell.

Then Bobby Mills joined Duncan Baldwin at the crease and some big hitting by Mills, accompanied by some steady stroke making from Baldwin helped put on a second wicket partnership of 136, before Baldwin fell for 54.
Hammond soon followed, but Mills, who finished on 138 not out and Steve Rothon steered Rayleigh to victory with two overs to spare.

Rayleigh hosted Chingford 5th XI at Wickford Memorial Ground. Paul won the toss and put the opposition into bat. Chingford scored 192 all out. Yousuf Khan (7-0-39-3) was the pick of the Rayleigh bowlers, supported by Robin ‘OMP’ Peppiatt (7-0-38-2), Danny Williams (4-0-31-2) and Luke Gould (8-0-29-2).

The total proved too much for the 7s, who were bowled out for 103. Elliot Davies top scored with 21.

Rayleigh Ladies travelled to Hatfield looking to continue their rich vein of form in the league. Rayleigh the toss, batting first, and posted 122-3 from their 20 overs. Georgia Wilson (27*), Jodie Billett (25*) and Katrina Mayfield (25*) all starred with the bat.

Hatfield started well and built a 71 partnership for the 1st wicket. Rayleigh managed to take some important wickets thanks to Kat (4-0-37-1) and Chloe Woolaway (4-0-15-1) but they couldn’t stem the flow of runs. Hatfield chased down the total in 17 overs.

A great effort from the ladies who put on a show with only 9 players.

U11 Owls lost to Benfleet Storm by 37 runs. Arvin Ghataura (11 runs), Harry Boyce (2-0-10-2).

U13 Hawks beat Orsett and Thurrock Shawks by 10 wickets. Yuvaan Prasad (2-0-18-2), Oliver Guinn (26*), Harry Rixon (19*) and Joshua Rockenbach (15*).