Weekly Round Up (w/e 11th August)

In the latest round of the Mid Essex T-Rippon League, Rayleigh secured victories in four out of their five fixtures. The 1st XI had a bye-week due to Aythorpe Roding’s withdrawal from the league, while the 6th team’s fixture was conceded by the opposition without a ball being bowled.

Earlier in the month, we celebrated Presidents Week with games taking place on every day of the week. You can read match reports from Monday vs. Basildon & Pitsea, Wednesday vs. Wickford and Thursday vs. Billericay by clicking the links.

On Friday, we celebrated the life of Robbie Baird by playing a memorial game between a Rayleigh XI (skippered by Jake Osbourn) and Bairdy XI (skippered by Craig Baird). Craig’s team came away from the match victorious and continued their run of wins in recent years.

On Sunday, the Presidents XI (captained by Bradley Walker) took on the Under 21s (captained by Sam Harmsworth) in a 40-over friendly. Brad managed to take his revenge for last year and walked away with a comprehensive 163-run win. Thank you to Alan Brown for the fantastic collection of photos, a selection of which are below:

The highlight of the week happened on Wednesday’s game against Wickford when Sam Keene managed to score his very first century for the club. Sam reached the milestone from 102 balls – spending 146 minutes at the crease. He finished on 125 (110 balls, 16 fours and 1 six). You can watch highlights of Sam and the team in action by clicking here.

Club Updates

End of Year Awards (Adults & U17s)

Celebrate the end of the 2024 cricket season in style at our Dinner and Dance Awards Night! Join us for awards, good food and music.

The event is taking place on Friday 11th October 2024 at Saxon Hall in the Jubilee Suite. Tickets cost just £35 per person (a reduction on last years costs) and include a two course meal, DJ for the evening and prizes/awards.

Find out more regarding the event and how to register by clicking here.

Wintech Kit Sale

Our previous kit supplier, Wintech Sports, has provided the club with the remainder of the stock from our previous contract with them. We’ve got a number of products members might be interested in, and at bargain prices!

To view the latest colt kit available, click here. An updated product list will be coming soon for adult members – but do click the image below and get in touch via info@rayleighcc.com if you would like to reserve products.

News Post (Left Side Text)

2nd XI vs. South Woodham & Burnham

Won by 8 wickets (25 pts) | Scorecard

“TWO’S TRIUMPH HELPS ALLIEVATE SAFETY CONCERNS” – Written by Rob Littler

The 2nd XI made the short journey north to Saltcoats Park on Saturday for a must-win fixture against bottom-of-the-table South Woodham & Burnham. With high temperatures and a promising batting line-up, the prospect of runs was high. However, the skipper lost the toss and the team was asked to bowl first.

After a pep talk on the boundary from his lady love, Mayfield got the important breakthrough when the dangerous-looking Young missed a full delivery, and his stumps were knocked over as a consequence. Verrinder followed suit in the next over, claiming his deserved first wicket of the day. With Mayfield and Verrinder now in their stride, they each produced another wicket. Mayfield disturbed the stumps again, while Verrinder got the batter to pop one up to Nolde, who took the catch close in.

On a wicket that had more cracks than Humpty Dumpty after his fall, the opening bowlers got to work right from the start. Mayfield, emboldened by his girlfriend’s presence, showed good pace and direction, with the ball swinging in late to perplex the batters. He was nicely backed up by Sam Verrinder, who also found some good movement in the air and off the pitch.

Satisfied that his openers had done their job, the skipper made a change, first bringing on Garms and then Green. Green made an immediate impact, taking a caught-and-bowled chance after initially leaving the first attempt because “it was one step to the right, which is one step too far in my book”. He then claimed a second wicket soon after when another batter decided to pop one up to short cover, allowing Nolde to secure his second catch of the day.

Layzell (29) and Stephenson (16*) then made a stand, seeing Garms out of the attack and negotiating Green nicely, adding some much-needed runs to the board. Unfortunately for Layzell, a powerful flick through midwicket was met by Littler, who managed to parry the ball but held on to the catch, giving Green his third wicket and breaking the partnership.

Nolde, now on the other end, found some nice turn and bounce from the cracks and claimed the next two wickets without them troubling the scorers. Green then finished the innings by bowling the number 11, securing his fourth wicket. South Woodham & Burnham were bowled out for 90 in 29 overs. Green finished with impressive figures of 8.2-4-16-4, while Nolde’s efforts gave him figures of 5-0-12-2.

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Given the unpredictable wicket, nothing could be taken for granted in this run chase. The skipper called upon his most experienced opening batsman, Littler, along with Turnbull, who had been in fine form opening for the 1st XI in Littler’s absence. After a solid innings for the President’s XI last week, Littler’s confidence was renewed, and he showcased this by driving his first scoring shot through the covers for four. He continued to dispatch the bad balls when they came his way, but his partner struggled to adjust to the spicy conditions.

The struggle soon ended when Turnbull chipped one back to the bowler, heading back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers—clearly, his previous runs had come on more docile wickets. Despite this, Rayleigh had made a decent start, putting 30 on the board before losing their first wicket.

Lynch then joined Littler and quickly matched his score. The pair still had to be cautious, with the odd ball hitting a crack and either staying low or moving sharply. However, there were enough bad deliveries to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Littler, sensing an opportunity, decided to go on the attack but unfortunately mistimed a shot that went straight up in the air to long on. He fell just short of a 50 partnership with Lynch, but the damage was done with Rayleigh at 79-2, needing only 12 more runs.

Lynch and Harmsworth saw out the remainder of the innings, and Rayleigh deservedly won the contest in the 12th over of the chase. Littler finished on 35, while Lynch remained unbeaten on 38.

It was a good win, putting the 2nd XI back above Great Waltham in the fight for survival. Next week, they welcome second-in-the-table Beaulieu Park to Rawreth Lane.

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3rd XI vs. Tillingham

Lost by 121 runs (2 pts) | Scorecard

Rayleigh made the long journey to the Dengie Peninsula to face Tillingham in what was a crucial match for both teams. With both sides jostling for mid-table positions in the league over the past few weeks, captain Noble won the toss and elected to bowl first on a Tillingham wicket that always offers something for the bowlers.

Rayleigh made a good start to the innings, with Mike Law removing Emerson (8) in the tenth over. Despite some economical bowling from Law (9-0-28-1), Freddy Noble (9-1-30-0), and Andy Long (9-2-27-0), wickets were hard to come by, and Tillingham capitalised on any loose deliveries with ease.

Josh Mantle and Dave Archer were expensive, but the former was able to pick up the important wicket of Plummer (82) with the score 175-2. The introduction of Murrell (5-0-22-2) helped remove a further two wickets (including opposition Hylton for a well-made 84), Tillingham managed to post 216-4 from 45 overs.

Needing under five an over, Rayleigh were confident about their chances of chasing down the required runs. Unfortunately, it was not to be. Only two Rayleigh batsmen—Law (20*) and Freddy Noble (26), both bowlers—managed to reach double figures. Rayleigh ultimately slumped to a disappointing 95 all out, though it could have been worse if not for a 55-run tenth-wicket partnership between Law and Noble at the end.

4th XI vs. Ilford Catholic

Won by 5 wickets (23 pts) | Scorecard

The 4th team welcomed Ilford Catholic to the new ground, buoyed by the opportunity to use the facilities, including the match being live streamed and scored by Fudge. The 4s were hopeful that Captain Morgan would win the toss, but unfortunately, Geoff’s run of bad luck continued, and Ilford opted to bat first.

The skipper opened the bowling and achieved excellent movement in the air and off the pitch, removing an Ilford batter in the first over. Another wicket for Morgan came via an LBW decision in the 6th over, shortly followed by Levett bowling Stefan Minkey (13) through the gate. Morgan struck again and completed his spell with impressive figures of 8-1-28-3, while Levett provided solid support with economical figures of 8-3-19-1.

The introduction of Umer Khan into the attack started promisingly, but a dropped catch by Tom Peppiatt at mid-on appeared costly. Thankfully, Peppiatt redeemed himself in the next over by taking a catch in the deep to dismiss Sharma (20), who looked dangerous.

Wright (8-1-28-2) also made an impact, claiming a couple of wickets with his wily off-spinners. Geddes and Hart continued to tidy up at the other end, with Hart particularly impressive, taking two crucial wickets late in the innings.

Ilford set Rayleigh a target of 134 to win. Scogings (30) and Gosling (39) started well, putting on 56 runs for the first wicket. Despite a golden duck for young Ryan Hart, James Geddes (29) steadied the innings. However, Gosling was eventually bowled while playing back.

With the win in sight, Ray Hart joined the action at the crease and struck a few boundaries. However, he managed to get involved in two run-outs before the innings concluded.

Despite the drama, which included three LBW appeals on the only balls Peppiatt faced, Rayleigh successfully chased down the total in 33 overs. They now face Upminster in an important fixture to help ensure the 4s remain in the league for 2024.

5th XI vs. Galleywood

Won by 7 wickets (24 pts) | Scorecard

Galleywood won the toss and elected to bat first on a hard looking track on the third pitch. Rayleigh made early inroads, dismissing the opposition skipper for a duck early thanks to James Offer. Another two wickets fell thanks to James, returning figures of 8-1-27-3. Callaway (8-0-42-1), Chloe Martin (7-0-36-1) and Captain Smith (6-0-25-1) all chipped in with a wicket each as Galleywood finished on 208-6 from 40 overs.

Despite the early loss of Terry Martin, James offer took a liking to the opposition bowlers and hit a brutal 114* from only 66 balls (including 10 fours and 8 sixes). James was supported by Shane McDonagh (43) and Rebecca Walker (25) and helped secure the win for Rayleigh with another 15 overs to spare.