Weekly Round Up (w/e 30th June)

We apologise for the recent lack of full weekly round-ups due to other commitments. However, you can catch up on the latest league action from the past few weeks by clicking on the articles below:

Last week marked the end of the first half of the adult league season. The 1st, 4th, and 6th teams secured comprehensive victories. Additionally, there were wins for the U13 Hawks, U15 Eagles, and U17 Falcons.

There were some great individual performances too, including a maiden Rayleigh CC century for Richard Barker, who smashed 112* (71 balls) for the 4th XI, putting on a massive 230-run partnership with Simon Harwood (84). During the 1st team’s nine-wicket win against Writtle, Sam Keene (70) and Steve Lynch (71*) piled on the runs, achieving a sublime partnership of 105 runs from 63 balls. Despite the 2nd team not quite securing the victory, Josh Francis (55) and Jake Osbourn (79) put on a sterling 108-run partnership against High Easter. It was a great performance from both lads, especially Jake, who only returned to the club last week.

For the colts, Sam Keene (35) and Henry Murrell (46) helped secure a 10-wicket win for the U17 Falcons. Ryan Hart (38) and Freddie Ashworth (38) piled on the runs for the U15 Eagles, with Lewis Mills (3-1-12-3) and Oliver Milchard (1.4-0-10-2) leading the bowling attack and sealing a win for Rayleigh. In the U13s, Tom Barker helped Rayleigh to a respectable total of 115-10 against a strong Orsett & Thurrock side, hitting 24 runs from 21 balls.

We’re gearing up for a fantastic cricket week this year, with plenty of fixtures and events planned. If you would like to make yourself available play in the fixtures scheduled on Monday 29th July, Wednesday 30th July or Friday 2nd July – please click here here to register your availability.

Please note, the the Sunday game is by invitation only and the U17 and Veterans fixtures will be picked separately based on eligibility.

We are also planning a fun day for the morning of Sunday 4th August – prior to the presidents day match being played. If you are able, the club would really appreciate any support or help on the day. Please email info@rayleighcc.com or contact Tom Peppiatt directly.

The club is showing the England vs. Switzerland Euro 2024 game at the club on Saturday evening. Weather depending, we are also running a BBQ (thank you to Paul Harmsworth for volunteering) and the bar will be open throughout the day.

Please come and support your club, and your country, on Saturday!

The end of year event for adults, ladies and the U17s has been confirmed for Friday 11th October at Saxon Hall in Southend. Please keep an eye on your inbox for updates in the coming weeks.

You can view initial information about the event by clicking here.

The 1st team welcomed Writtle to Rawreth Lane in an important fixture for their league campaign. Writtle won the toss and elected to bat first.

Thanks to some tight bowling from Rayleigh, Writtle were restricted to 199-9 from their 45 overs. Danny Frost (9-1-18-2) and Mihir Patel (9-2-39-2) picked up two wickets each.

In response, Rayleigh took control of the game and put on 95 runs for the first wicket. Ellis (30) was the only Rayleigh batter to fall, with opener Sam Keene (70*) and Steve Lynch (71*) seeing Rayleigh to an easy win.

A fantastic game for the 1st team that will give them confidence for the latter part of the season.

The 2s played away against High Easter. Matt won the toss and elected to bat first on a hard looking wicket.

Rayleigh started well, with all batters contributing to a good first innings total of 246-5 from their 45 overs. Jake Osbourn (79) and Josh Francis (55) were the stars of the show, building a wonderful 108 run partnership.

Unfortunately, some loose bowling from Rayleigh helped High Easter to a perfect start and the opposition skipper Henry Brisland took the game away from Rayleigh after posting a 66 ball 132! High Easter were able to chase the remaining runs required with 12 overs to spare.

Nick Green was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 9-0-35-2.

Playing away from home against Eastwood, Captain Noble won the toss and asked to bat first on a lovely summers afternoon at Belfairs Park.

Rayleigh started their innings watchfully, but wickets started to tumble. Brad Walker was removed for 38 and Rayleigh went on to lose another five wickets for only 4 additional runs – slumping to 98-10 from just 30 overs.

Again, Rayleigh started poorly with the ball and let too many runs slide by. Eastwood were able to reach Rayleigh’s target in only 17 overs for the loss of three wickets. Freddy Noble (4-0-18-2) led with the ball.

Following a dismal performance against Danbury last week (with the main highlight being a fabulous tea from the opposition), the 4s were keen to bounce back against local rivals Fairview.

Tom Peppiatt, skippering in Geoff Morgan’s absence, won the toss and elected to bat first on a bone-dry wicket. Scogings (28) and Gosling (23) made a solid start, supported by Jess Walker (15). However, the real fireworks began when Richard Barker came to the crease, smashing a massive 112* from only 71 balls. Simon Harwood joined the fun, scoring an excellent 84* and was unlucky not to reach his century as well. Richard and Simon put on a partnership of 230* — the highest recorded partnership this year — helping Rayleigh post a formidable 310-3 from 40 overs.

Fairview started cautiously and never seriously looked to chase down the total. Wickets fell at regular intervals. Sam Skillett (8-4-10-1) and Oliver Barker (8-3-28-3) opened the bowling with great line and length, while Umer Khan (7.5-1-27-4) and Ryan Hart (8-0-24-2) did the damage in the middle overs, bowling Fairview out for an underwhelming 120.

Rayleigh won the toss and asked to bat first, posting 152 all out from 32 overs. James Offer did most of the damage, hitting 42 runs from only 21 balls (6 fours and 2 sixes).

Wickets fell regularly for the opposition in reply, thanks to some great bowling from all the Rayleigh bowlers. Sangeet Prasad (8-1-10-1) bowled efficiently, while debutante Patrick Butler (8-0-43-3) and Marc Smith (6-0-23-2) led the wickets column.

Unfortunately, it was not meant to be for Rayleigh as OC’s were able to chase down the total with only an over to spare, and one wicket remaining.

Captain Lennox won the toss and elected to bat first. Thanks to a true captains innings for Simon (58), supported by Bond (20) and Rothon (44), Rayleigh were able to post 187-9 from their 40 overs.

Despite a strong opening partnership for the opposition, Rayleigh took regular wickets and only a handful of opposition batters reached double figures. Duncan Bond, Richard Mantell, Luke Gould and Andy James all pitched in – with Duncan yet again recording miserly figures of 8-3-16-3.

Hornchurch finished on 169-8, 18 runs short of the target. The 6s have now won four games on the bounce and are in dangerous territory of pushing for a top-middle table position.