Weekly Round Up (w/e 9th July)

Last week proved to be fruitful for the U13 Hawks, the Midweek XI, the Ladies team and Sunday XI. However, regrettably, it was a rather lackluster week for our adult league sides. Only the 1st and 4th XI could secure wins, largely due to poor availability.

The above mentioned wins have helped the 1st team leap-frog into sixth place in division one and the 4th XI secure third place in the league. Despite losing, the 3rd XI remain in second spot in division seven and are still pushing for promotion.

The Ladies team, after winning last Friday, remain in 2nd position in the South Division with one more game to play.

A massive well done to the following colts who have been selected for district:

• Lewis Mills
• Tom Barker
• Henry Barker
• Oliver Barker
• Josh Francis

Oliver, Tom & Henry have been attending the South District winter coaching programme at U13, U11 & U10 respectively. Oliver & Tom are representing the district in matches wc 24 July. Henry will have to wait until next year as there are no under 10 matches. Josh and Lewis have both been selected in matches for their respective age groups.

There were some fine individual performances last week, including:

• Rob Littler – 101 from 95 balls (click to watch highlights)
• Akash Nanayakkara – 79* from 46 balls
• Sam Keene – 69* from 89 balls
• Phil Hammond – 65 from 56 balls
• Jess Walker – 52 runs
• Mark Bailey – 51* from 42 balls
• Georgia Wilson – 25* from 24 balls

• Mike Law – 4/21
• Ian Turnbull – 4/31
• Kalpesh Patel – 3/37

Now in to the second half of the season, Rayleigh 1^st XI have found themselves in the precarious position of the relegation zone. In a tightly contested 1^st Division though, a couple of wins could see you in a fight for promotion very quickly. Galleywood were the visitors this week and with overcast conditions had no hesitation in putting the home side in on a new deck.

With the Chairman’s new objective for the team, “must stay up”, ringing in the skipper’s ears it was time to shake things up a bit – could this be another inspired change? Francis and himself would open the batting with Impey going to 4. They got off to a steady start adding 40 for the first wicket, the pitch playing well for the first 8 overs.  Unfortunately the pitch was getting a little two paced and the odd ball started to pop just short of a length from one end and Francis fell, it was going to be tough with some disciplined bowling. Cook got a good in-swinger to leave cheaply. Impey arrived at the crease and gave good support to the skipper who was finding his rhythm. They put on 64 for the 4^th wicket, Impey a little unlucky to be bowled off his gloves with one that lifted slightly.  The skipper was playing the conditions beautifully and reached 3 figures for the first time this season with a sumptuous clip off the legs.  His luck ran out soon after, bowled with one that pitched in the bowlers half and rolled along the ground. Out for 101, but a splendid knock. Akash (32) continued to build runs with the in form Harmsworth (40*) to take the team past 200. The skipper was enjoying a well-deserved sit down with a drink and was asked if he was ok, with response of “I feel so relaxed” still echoing round the decking Frost(23) went on the attack and embedded the ball into his windscreen. The skipper unmoved said “oh well, good shot Danny” and continued to stay in his composed condition (may have helped it was the wife’s car). The tail and Harmy increased the score to 266-7.  A very good score and one that Rayleigh felt they could defend.

Rayleigh opened with Frost from the Pavilion end and got off to a bad start with 16 off the first over. At one point it looked like the over wouldn’t end and would have gone down as the greatest run chase in history. Sammy V from the other end though was in no mood to give cheap runs. He got the first wicket with one just stopping on the batsman pushing it back to the bowler, the two paced nature of the wicket starting to manifest. Frost then had 2 drops in one over, both tough chances, but that didn’t matter to him. Fuming he went up a gear and became hostile, not only to the opposition. He got the next 2 wickets with good pace finding edges. McIntyre (50) and Rayner (21) slowly built a good partnership, but the introduction of Patel and Turnbull proved decisive. Miserly Mihir was consistent in the right areas and got 2 wickets bowling his 9 overs for only 28 runs. The Verrinder brothers combined for a good run out and at 99-6 it was only a matter of time for victory. Turnbull pounced on the tailenders using the wicket to his advantage, getting 2 caught by Matty V who made it 5 catches in total for a good day behind the stumps, other than one missed stumping. Littler then took a smart diving catch at 1^st slip and the last clipping the top of middle. Galleywood finished on 125 all out. Rayleigh won by 141 runs. A good day out for the 1^st team, a game played in great spirit by both sides and a great relaxed attitude from Rayleigh. A much needed win which hopefully we can build on.

The 2nd XI made the journey to Hylands Parks to play Hornchurch Athletic 2nd XI. The visitors lost the toss and bowled first. Rayleigh made a quick breakthrough, thanks to a swift run out by Richard Nolde, followed by the opposition skipper who was bowled through the gate by Dave Hall (9-1-59-1). After that, wickets were hard to come by and Hornchurch posted 258-4 from their 45 overs. Jonathan Isherwood was the pick of the bowling attack, returning economical figures of 9-3-27-1.

Rayleigh failed to get going in reply and lost three quick wickets. Jess Walker (52), Lee Hawkins (24) and Jake Ashworth (26) were the only Rayleigh batters who troubled the scorers – with Rayleigh finishing on 145 all out in under 40 overs.

The 3rd XI welcomed South Woodham Ferrers to the old ground. With the visitors 1st XI without a game this weekend, would the 2nd XI be stronger…?

South Woodham won the toss and elected to field first after some rain before the start of play. Rayleigh lost opener Sam Law in a bizarre fashion – after smashing a ball back at the bowler, the ball hit the non-strike batsman, which was calmly collected by the bowler for a caught and bowled! James Balkwill (25) and James Isherwood (41) built a good partnership, supported by a rapid 46 from Kalpesh Patel – but two quick wickets fell leaving the 3s 115-4. Brad Walker and Mike Mayfield formed a good partnership and helped the 3s to a final total of 196-6.

Rayleigh battled against a strong batting line up and at one point had the visitors at 111-5. Unfortunately, despite a rather excellent catch from a certain substitute fielder, the tail wagged and South Woodham got over the line with an over to spare. John Wright was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 9-2-33-1.

The 4th XI made the journey to infamous Holy Cross Recreation Ground, for an important game against Basildon & Pitsea. Captain Peps made his only contribution of the game by winning the toss and bowling first, on a track that was at first hard to identify from the remainder of the outfield.

Mike Law and Sam Skillett opened the bowling. Mike rolled back the years and recorded fantastic figures (8-2-21-4), supported by an excellent spell from Sam (8-2-20-2). Sam Levett (2-0-5-1) and Sam Parrott (1.5-0-5-2) followed the strong start, taking three wickets between them – leaving Basildon stranded on 61 all out from 19.5 overs.

Forgoing tea, Rayleigh pushed on and made a quick start – unfortunately losing Josh Francis (18) in the first few overs. James Geddes looked solid but couldn’t push on and the skipper went immediately after for a golden duck. With runs hard to come by, Mark Bailey (24*) and Ray Hart (12*) managed to see Rayleigh home for the loss of three wickets in the 20th over.

The 5s hosted Chignal on the back pitch. The visitors won the toss and put Rayleigh into bat. Despite losing a quick wicket, Marc Smith (34) and James Offer (46) made a strong start. Phil Hammond joined the party, posting 65 runs from 56 balls. Unfortunately, wickets tumbled quickly thereafter and Rayleigh slumped to 215 all out from 37 overs.

Rayleigh struggled to get wickets in response, aided by some loose bowling. Chignal were able to chase down the total in less than 30 overs.

Rayleigh won the toss and elected to field.

A weakened Rayleigh team got off to a steady start, restricting Hornchurch to 24 for 1 from the first 10 overs. By the 27th over, in a game restricted to 35 per side due to two rain interruptions, Rayleigh were still in the game and had Hornchurch at 92 for 5.

However, K. Hurford hit a quick 43 and J. Lavey with an unbeaten 42 helped the home side add 79 from the last eight overs. Duncan Bond was the pick of the Rayleigh bowlers with figures of 6-2-21-2.

Rayleigh simply didn’t have the batting depth to compete and good bowling from Hurford (8-3-8-3) and young leg spinning colt, J. Singh (8-5-4-5) bowled Hornchurch to a comfortable victory. No Rayleigh batter reached double figures.

The Ladies played host to Hutton Women’s XI on Friday in their penultimate Essex T20 League fixture. Hutton won the toss and batted first, posting 94-6 from their 20 overs. Georgia Wilson was the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets (4-0-20-2).

Thanks to some fabulous batting from Georgia Wilson (25*), Kat Mayfield (19), Sophie Lennox (18*) and Lou Harmsworth (12*), Rayleigh were able to chase down the total with five balls to spare.

The Ladies remain second in the south division two, with one game to play.

Batting first, Rayleigh were initially reduced to 49-7. Thanks to an exquisite 152* partnership between Sam Keene (69*) and Akash Nanayakkara (79*), Rayleigh were able to post a commanding total of 253-9 from 40 overs.

In reply, Willow Herbs put up a valiant fight but couldn’t chase down the total thanks to an excellent bowling display by most of the bowlers. Calum Mayfield (8-4-19-2) and Benny Mahoney (4-1-10-2) were the pick of the bunch. Willow Herbs finished on 183-9.

In what was supposed to be a veterans game, Rayleigh visited Eastwood at Belfairs Park. Due to injury and availability, the ‘vets’ team included some much younger players.

Rayleigh batted first and lost quick wickets. Mike Mayfield (28) got the party started, but the wickets continued to fall. Mark Bailey (51*) was the linchpin of the innings, supported by Sam Harmsworth (43*). Rayleigh finished on 169-8 from 35 overs.

Despite some lusty blows from the Eastwood openers, and some loose bowling from Rayleigh, Eastwood couldn’t chase down the target. Akash Nanayakkara (8-0-27-2), Jake Ashworth (9-1-29-2) and Tom Peppiatt (2-1-4-2) were the pick of the bowlers. Eastwood finished 21 runs short on 148 all out.