Match Reports – 22nd June

The 1st team travelled to face Terling with poor availability impacting Rayleigh’s batting lineup. Matt Verrinder won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Rayleigh started strong, with Danny Frost removing opener Jagota (2) in the fifth over. However, wickets were scarce until Sam Verrinder broke through in the twelfth over, dismissing opposition captain Castledine (12). Rayleigh continued to bowl well, keeping the opposition in check, particularly by restricting Taylor (22) who was batting well just before the 30th over. Unfortunately, a quickfire 36 from 16 balls by Harrison revitalised Terling’s innings. Terling’s number three capitalised on this momentum, pushing their total to 271-9 from their 45 overs, scoring 138 from just 126 balls.

Rayleigh’s chase started poorly, losing Francis in the first over to an edge caught by the keeper. Sam Keene and Steve Lynch (35) managed to rebuild, taking the score to 69-2 before Lynch was dismissed, lofting a drive to deep cover. Keene and Cook added another 72 runs before Keene was caught by the bowler for 53. Cook (40), Harmsworth (18), and Sam Verrinder (21) were the only other batsmen to make significant contributions. Despite their efforts, Rayleigh collapsed to 196 all out in 39 overs.

Rayleigh welcomed Great Waltham to the new ground, hoping for a victory following last weeks tied match.

Great Waltham won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a solid total of 232-4 from their 45 overs. Rayleigh’s bowlers shared the wickets: Zach Skillett (9-0-58-1), Nick Green (9-2-23-1), Josh Mantle (5-0-25-1), and Richard Nolde (8-0-46-1) each claimed one wicket.

Sean Miller and Brad Walker opened the batting for Rayleigh, beginning their pursuit of the target. However, Miller (11) was the first to fall, followed in quick succession by Matt Walker (4) and Brad Walker (2), all victims of Sam Harman’s impressive bowling (6-1-19-3). Bala Rajagopal (38) and Jess Walker (24) led the fightback for Rayleigh and Richard Nolde (25) and Josh Mantle (27*) provided further resistance down the order, but ultimately Rayleigh slumped to 177 all out in 39 overs.

The 3rd XI faced Ingatestone on the old ground, eager to play following the previous week’s washed-out fixture. Captain Noble won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Ingatestone started disastrously, losing two wickets for no runs and another shortly thereafter. At 9-3, the opposition desperately needed a big partnership. While runs began to flow more easily, regular wickets continued to fall. John Wright (9-1-28-2) and Kalpesh Patel (8-4-24-2) kept the batters quiet, but Andy Long was the star of the show, claiming five wickets for just 17 runs, with figures of 7.4-2-17-5, helping to bowl Ingatestone out for only 159 runs.

Rayleigh approached the chase cautiously. Contributions from Bailey (15), Noble (17), and Isherwood (12) laid the foundation, but it was James Balkwill (63) and Josh Francis (45) who propelled Rayleigh towards the target. Their impressive partnership of 80 ensured an easy win for Rayleigh, securing victory in the 31st over.

The 4th team’s performance at the weekend doesn’t warrant much of a match report.

Rayleigh lost the toss and were put in to bat on a slow and low wicket. The 4s struggled, being bowled out for just 71 in 17 overs. Steve Gosling (14), Oliver Barker (16*), and Benny Mahoney (11) were the only batters to reach double figures.

In response, Danbury chased down the target in just 11 overs. Despite Sam Skillett’s excellent bowling, taking 2 wickets for 28 runs in his 5 overs, Rayleigh couldn’t prevent a swift defeat.

Marc Smith’s band of merry fifth teamers hosted St John’s Billericay at Rawreth Lane. Rayleigh won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Billericay started well, but wickets began to tumble, finishing their innings on 164-8 from their 40 overs. Smith was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 7-0-29-3, supported by Sangeet Prasad (7-1-16-2) and Chloe Martin (8-1-41-2).

Rayleigh made hard work of the chase, but thanks to solid knocks from Sangeet (42*) and Smith (35), they were able to secure the win with two overs to spare.

Rayleigh won the toss and chose to bat first, posting 141-8 from their 40 overs. Baldwin (49), Rothon (20), and Mantell (21) were the top scorers.

Tillingham started their chase well, but wickets soon began to fall due to some accurate bowling from Rayleigh’s attack. Duncan Bond (7.4-1-22-3) and Richard Mantell (8-1-12-2) were the standout performers with the ball. Tillingham were bowled out for 106, securing a victory for Rayleigh.