RCC 1st XI vs. East Hanningfield 1s
Rayleigh lost by 2 wickets (7 points)
“Resilient Rayleigh lose out in final over drama”
Finally, following some good weather, the 1st XI were able to get their league campaign truly underway – hosting newly promoted East Hanningfield at Rawreth Lane. The outfield finally fit for play and the wicket looking good for early May, the home skipper had no hesitation in electing to bat after winning the toss.
Two balls into the innings and that decision looked more ominous, with Ben Francis tamely patting a short ball to second slip. Bala joined Littler at the crease, and in the second over, Littler looked in fine form. Demonstrating the pitch’s good pace, he hit his third delivery for four and then his fifth for six with a lovely flick over midwicket. Bala struggled at the other end, keeping Littler off strike, but whenever Littler got the chance, he took it, accelerating the score with some nice cuts and drives. Bala lost his off stump in the ninth over to a well-bowled delivery from Hammond in his opening spell, bringing Ox in for his first bat of the season.
Spinners came into the attack, and the pitch’s pace seemed to drop, with slow and low bounce making it increasingly hard to get the ball away. Despite this, Ox and Littler managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over. However, Littler attempted an expansive drive, which caused an injury, and in his immobilised state, he was soon dismissed. Harmsworth and Ox followed soon after and it was 70-5. Frost, in no mood to be dictated too by the bowlers, went aggressive as ever and with Turnbull chipping in they built a nice little partnership to get the score past 100.
Unfortunately the reintroduction of the openers brought the visitors their wickets and Rayleigh were again reeling at 106-7. They needed the “tailenders” to help get the team to a respectable total and with 20 overs remaining they had time. Hood obliged with a well crafted innings but unfortunately fell to a short wide one followed by the skipper LBW. Patel was watchful and S Verrinder reserved, both knowing that just seeing out the full amount of overs would mean Rayleigh would have a competitive total. Patel was finally out in the 40th over to end the innings at 175. Littler (34) and Frost (26) the pick of the batsmen and Mahmood (4-45) and Hammond (3-26) the pick of the bowlers.
The understanding in the camp was that Rayleigh were a bit short of runs, but good bowling and fielding could bring pressure. Especially with the wicket becoming slow and low and an outfield which was slow, it would be tough to get runs. If early wickets were taken, a win could be snatched. Frost, invigorated from the skipper’s huddle (he was the only one not in it), produced the perfect start with an in-swinging beauty taking middle stump only three balls into the innings. The batsmen were watchful with Frost and S Verrinder bowling nicely without much reward.
Hood was introduced in the 11th over and had an immediate impact with Bala taking a smart catch at square leg. He then got a second in his next over, and Rayleigh sniffed a chance with the visitors at 43-3. Hinnigan stayed resolute though, not taking too many chances and playing the bad balls well. A 50 partnership between him and Rutland put Hanningfield back in the driving seat. Rutland was finally dismissed by Ox with the score at 100, and then Patel got a deserved wicket shortly after. Patel then took the sixth wicket when Hood took a worldie of a catch at point to remove a dangerous Hammond.
The skipper sensed an opportunity and brought back his openers to try and claim the last four wickets. Frost finally finished Hinnigan’s vigil at the crease, and Verrinder accounted for the eighth wicket. Hanningfield needed 27 runs from 5 overs. Unfortunately, the wickets weren’t coming, so Rayleigh increasingly had to rely on some disciplined fielding to save runs. They took it to the last over with 5 runs needed and Ox handed the ball.
The first ball went for 1, and the menacing Leworthy was off strike. Two dot balls put the pressure back on the batters, 3 balls to get 4 runs. Then the unthinkable happened: Ox overstepped, but the batter tapped back only 1 run was conceded, 3 from 3 now. The next delivery, Mahmood flat-batted over mid-off for 4, handing victory and celebrations in the middle by the two batsmen. But wait, the slow outfield stopped the ball. Shouts from the watching visitors to run, batsmen and fielders confused, Rayleigh gathered the ball and only conceded 2 runs. Scores tied, 1 needed from 2. A dot ball followed. Now, the extra delivery from the no-ball. Wide outside off, Mahmood freed his arms and it skirted away through cover point for the winning single.
Hanningfield finished at 176-8 in their 45 overs, with Hinnigan (75) and Leworthy (24*) the pick of the batsmen, and Patel (2-21) and Frost (2-27) the pick of the bowlers.
A good game of cricket, but Rayleigh will feel that without their in-form batsman getting injured and with a little more discipline with the bat, a bigger total could have been reached. Even so, the bowling and fielding display was impressive, and a victory was almost secured. On to next week, where we are away to the other promoted side, Broomfield.
Written by Rob Littler
