Weekly Round Up (w/e 13th Aug)

Following a week of rain that saw all league fixtures cancelled, last week saw wins for all teams – with the exception of the 3rd XI.

With only three weeks of the league season remaining, here is how each teams stands:

• The 1st XI are currently in 6th place, 37 points clear of relegation and 32 points short of a chance at promotion.
• The 2nd XI are lingering in 8th place on 111 points, but with 7th and 6th in the league only a few points ahead – it’s all still to play for.
• Despite dropping down the table in the last few weeks, the 3rd XI still remain in the fight for promotion in 3rd spot. Only 8 points separate Rayleigh from Brookweald, so wins are required for the remaining few fixtures in order to secure promotion.
• The 4th XI are in 4th place in the league, following a win against Theydon Bois on Saturday. There are only 3 points between 4th and 2nd place in the league, so the 4s need a win this weekend to help cement a strong position for the last few games of the year.
• After a win last week, the 5th XI hold strong in 5th place in the league, 52 points short of a promotion place and 72 points clear of relegation.
• The 6th XI, boosted by their victory against Eastwood, are now sitting in 5th place – 130 points short of promotion and clear of relegation by 63 points.

On Sunday 20th August, we are holding a family fun day for our younger members and wider community. All are welcome for a day of fun, including:

• Bouncy castles
• Mini golf
• Treasure hunt
• Coconut shy
• Cake and sweets
• Kids cricket sessions
• BBQ & bacon rolls

Cost per wristband is £5, which includes access to all activities (excluding food).

Celebrate the end of the 2023 cricket season at our Dinner and Dance Awards Night! Join us for awards, good food and an opportunity to round the season off in style.

The event is taking place on Friday 20th October and tickets cost £40 per person. Each booking includes a three course meal and DJ for the evening. Once you have booked, you will be asked to make payment (either in full or via installments – whatever works best for your situation).

We welcome attendance from all club members; however, please note only adult and under 17 awards will be presented at this event. Awards for younger colt teams will be scheduled separately. Click here to find out more.

We’re pleased to announce our next golf day, organised by Phil Wolff (RCC Golf Society Extraordinaire). The next golf day will take place at Top Meadows Golf Club (Upminster) on 12th September 2023. First tee time is 10:30am.

Cost per person is £30, which includes 18 holes of golf, a full English breakfast and Ham, Egg + Chips post-round. If you are interested in playing, please contact Phil Wolff or email Tom Peppiatt via tompeppiatt96@gmail.com

Rayleigh 1^st XI welcomed Great Totham to Rawreth Lane, with a win needed to help ease the threat of relegation. On a windy and overcast day, Great Totham won the toss and elected to bat. This did not deter the Rayleigh skipper as he was in 2 minds anyway and probably would have bowled first.

Great Totham got off to a reasonable start with a fair run rate in the first few overs. A couple of chances went begging but this seemed to slow progress. Slice (52) reached his half century, but the introduction of leading wicket taker Ox saw the end of his innings. Ox quickly got a second and with Miserly Mihir chipping in with one, the opposition were 94-3 at drinks. The 4^th wicket proved hard to come by. It felt like Rayleigh were getting no luck, with the ball dropping just wide of fielders all over the place. A healthy 50 run partnership had grown but then Rayleigh’s luck changed.  Mihir managed to get finger tips to a ball travelling at the speed of light back to him and on to the stumps, the Great Totham batsmen turned in vain, run out backing up, one of the worst ways to be dismissed. Mihir finished his middle over spell 1-34. The skipper, inspired by what he saw, brought himself on and started off by keeping it tight. Another 50 partnership had developed and the keeper called for some field changes, wanting point to move into the leg side. Nevertheless, the skipper went against the suggestions and kept Mayfield at point… next ball was a waft outside off and the thick edge went straight to Mayfield at point… needless to say, Rob’s skippering senses were tingling at this point. The new batsman knew he had to get the scoreboard going again but they couldn’t get the bowling away. Following a charge down the wicket, the skipper adjusted his line and length accordingly and produced the stumping opportunity for the 6^th. A few balls later a lovely flighted delivery led to a catch in the deep. Great Totham’s push for runs had stalled and they finished 210-7 with a strong innings from Banyard who was undefeated on 67. Ox finished with figures of 2-38 and Littler 3-34.

At Tea, discussion (other than on the excellent spread from Mrs Mayfield) was on the batting line up.  The skipper was suffering from a dead leg from his earlier fielding exploits and decided to sacrifice his position at the top of the order for Cook to take his place – could another inspired change be brewing? Lynch, promoted from the 2s after an excellent season so far, and Cook went to task at getting Rayleigh to the runs required. They played with poise and panache to open up with a 50 partnership. Unfortunately, Lynch (34) had one that just held in the surface a bit and he drilled it to mid off at a catch-able height. Ox (43) joined Cook at the crease and added his brutality into the mix. The 2 old stalwarts continued Rayleigh’s progression, Cook guiding the ball all round the park, like a wizard with a wand he unleashed his magic on every bowler. Ox hammered through gaps and areas only he could find, they were in perfect tandem. The 110 partnership was ended when Ox spooned one high to mid off but the damage was done and with 19 overs left, only 29 runs were needed. Harmy joined the foray knowing that his job was to see Cook to his hundred, and what a job he did. Cook reaching the milestone in the 33^rd over with a cut to cover in glorious sunshine. His task done, Harmy went on the attack but unfortunately fell to a superb catch at short mid-wicket. Fittingly, Cook finished the innings off with a pull to square leg, 104 not out was a phenomenal effort considering his back wouldn’t allow him the freedom he needed.

Rayleigh won by 7 wickets and have made a great stride to safety, a win next week will guarantee it.

The 3s travelled to Terling for an important game. Brad Walker stood in as skipper for Trevor – winning the toss and asked Terling to bat first.

Terling started well, but were pegged back by some good bowling from Ben Hoskins, Freddy Noble and John Wright. Despite having Terling at 89-3, all of the opposition batters chipped in with useful contributions and built a solid total of 225-7. Josh Mantle, albeit not picking up a wicket, bowled excellent line and length and only went for 3 an over. Ben Hoskins (9-0-36-2) and John Wright (9-0-43-2) picked up useful wickets.

In reply, Rayleigh lost Mike Mayfield early on. Sam Keene (16) and Neil Noble (48) batted patiently, but were undone when the former was run out attempting a quick single. Quick wickets followed, with only Brad Walker (44) and Ben Hoskins (28*) putting up a defense against some good bowling from the opposition.

Rayleigh finished 39 runs short with a wicket still in hand, picking up only 6 points for their troubles.

Rayleigh welcomed a depleted Theydon Bois to Rawreth Lane. The stand-in skipper for the opposition won the toss and asked Rayleigh to bat first (acutely aware of the lack of runs scored by the 4s this season).

Rayleigh started shakily, losing quick wickets for not many runs. After losing Gosling and Harwood for not many, Mark Bailey steadied the ship but played on to a rank short ball for 21 runs. Despite accurate bowling from the opposition, James Geddes and Matt Walker built an excellent partnership to get the score back to 154-4, before losing James for 59. Matt continued the attack but fell shortly after for 58. The Skillett brothers were promoted into the attack to get the scoreboard moving a bit quicker, but Zach fell to a sharp catch at mid wicket. In came captain Peps who hit a quick-fire 23 from 16 balls, including a text-book cover drive, before spooning the ball to the keeper. A few more wickets fell cheaply before what was arguably the moment of the day… Mike Law, hustling between the wickets, managed to run a 5! Despite the quick running, Rayleigh slumped to 223 all out – likely 20 runs short.

Theydon came out of the blocks quickly, but Geoff Morgan was able to pick up two wickets – leaving Theydon on 10-2. The Theydon keeper, Ejaz, batted well and continued to rack up the runs but wickets continued to fall. Ejaz fell for 70, leaving Theydon on 156-6. Shiraz Butt was the next to fall thanks to some good bowling from Zach Skillett (and an excellent grab in the deep by his brother), leaving the opposition on 185-9. With only one more wicket to take, Theydon continued to punish the Rayleigh bowling – until Sam Skillett made the breakthrough, with the batter spooning the ball to mid wicket, with the skipper taking the catch to win the game. Geoff Morgan (6-0-33-2) and James Geddes (5-0-26-2) were the pick of the bowling; however, Sam Skillett bowled with excellent control, as usual, helping to keep the opposition tied down.

Captain Smith won the toss and elected to field first on an overcast day. Willow Herbs started slowly, with only their captain and one other scoring double figures. Marc Smith (2-0-3-2) was the pick of the bowlers, but Sangeet Prasad (8-3-10-1) and Kuldeep Paik (8-3-10-0) also bowled well – only going for 1.25 per over each. Willow Herbs slumped to 142-6 from their 40 overs.

In response, Terry Martin (11) fell leaving Rayleigh on 33-1, bringing James Offer to the crease. James smashed a quick 40 runs from only 25 balls (a bit slow for him – but did hit 5 sixes once he’d got his eye in), leaving Mark Callaway (23*) and Phil Hammond (20*) to guide Rayleigh to victory with 18 overs remaining and 7 wickets in hand.

The 6th XI (including some ringers) visited Belfairs Park seeking a victory against bottom of the league Eastwood.

Captains Lennox and Bond won the toss and batted first, posting 160-7. Ray Hart (31) and Steve Adams (29) top scored for Rayleigh.

Rayleigh’s bowling proved to be too good for Eastwood, with none of their batters reaching double figures – finishing on 66-9 from their 40 overs. Nick Green (8-1-16-2), Ryan Hart (8-3-13-2), Steve Adams (5-3-6-2) and Steve Rothon (3-2-1-2) were the pick of the bowlers.