The 2024 league season came to a close last week. It’s been a season of mixed fortunes for the club, but we’re pleased to report that all teams successfully retained their places in their respective divisions of the Mid Essex League.
That said, only one of our Saturday teams managed a win over the weekend—the 2nd XI, who needed a crucial victory to secure their spot in Division Three!
As we head into the off-season, the club is focused on regrouping and preparing to come back stronger next year, with the aim of challenging for promotion across all divisions. We’re also committed to developing our colts to be the senior players of the future – more on that in the coming months!
Raining Centuries at Rawreth Lane!
A huge congratulations to Rob Littler and James Balkwill, who both recorded outstanding centuries for the 2nd XI and 3rd XI respectively on Saturday. Remarkably, they reached their hundreds in almost identical times, though with slightly different strike rates. Rob scored 101 from 91 balls (including 14 fours and 2 sixes), while James notched up 102 from 118 balls, hitting 17 fours.
Final Call: Register for the End of Year Awards Night!
Our highly anticipated End of Year Awards Night is fast approaching, and we don’t want you to miss out! The event will take place on Friday, 11th October, at Saxon Hall, offering a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the 2024 season in style.
The deadline to register is 5pm on Sunday 15th September. Please ensure you sign up before this date, as we won’t be able to accommodate late registrations.
Last year’s event was a great success, with delicious food, excellent company, and a chance to toast the year’s achievements. This year, we’re planning to make it even better!
To secure your place or learn more, click here.
Match Report: 2nd XI Secure Safety with Clinical Victory
Rayleigh welcomed High Easter to Rawreth Lane for the final match of the season. The pitch looked the best it had all year, but with conditions favouring the bowlers, losing the toss was a blessing in disguise. The Rayleigh skipper obliged, and High Easter chose to field.
Francis Snr and Littler opened the innings, as they’ve often done over the past few seasons. A watchful start with a couple of boundaries turned into a flurry from Littler in the third over, getting the ball rolling. Unfortunately, Francis (4) was bowled with the score on 22, but Littler continued to put pressure on the opposition with well-timed cuts to the boundary. The pressure told, as Milkins was forced off mid-way through his fourth over after another boundary from Littler. Ellis, playing more conservatively than usual, supported Littler well at the other end, scoring boundaries just when needed to keep the scoreboard ticking. Their second-wicket partnership of 62 provided a solid platform.
Ellis (22), perhaps a bit too tentative, was caught behind after not committing to the front or back foot, bringing Francis Jnr to the crease. He injected fresh energy into the innings, playing late and striking through the ‘V’ with good timing. This helped Littler reach his 50 off as many balls, his first league half-century since the third game of the season. Another promising partnership of 54 followed, but Francis (19) was caught in the crease and popped one back to the bowler.
The skipper joined Littler, who was just 17 runs shy of a century. After a few settling overs, Littler launched into attack mode. A six and two boundaries brought up his hundred to immense jubilation from the fans and players. Sadly, after a delay to find the ball, Littler (101) mistimed his next shot to midwicket. His innings had set the tone for the onslaught that followed.
As Maximus said in Gladiator, “On my signal, unleash hell,” and that’s exactly what Walker and Miller did in their fifth-wicket stand. Walker took a liking to the off-spinner, sweeping and paddling the ball to the square-leg boundary, finding the gap every time. Miller then took the lead, smashing six after six, with one landing in the scorebox. Together, they built a phenomenal partnership of 149 from 93 deliveries. Walker (77) fell with two balls remaining, skying one for the keeper to catch, but Miller had one final six in his locker, finishing 79* from 42 balls. Rayleigh set a formidable total of 323-5, with Brisland the pick of the High Easter bowlers, taking 1-49 in his 9 overs.
Now it was time to defend this huge total. On a good pitch, Rayleigh needed early wickets to dampen any hopes High Easter might have had of chasing down the runs. Verrinder did just that, clean bowling Brisland for a duck in his first over and then getting Cleverley in his next for 9. Although he lost his way slightly, Nunn found his rhythm at the other end, restricting the run rate. He removed M. Mills (18) after a couple of chances went begging. Green came on as first change and struck immediately, trapping Abbasi (8) LBW. By the 13th over, High Easter were in trouble at 68-4.
Gliddon and S. Hills, however, dug in, playing sensibly and punishing the bad balls. Gliddon reached his fifty in 49 balls, followed by Hills in 54. Their partnership began to frustrate Rayleigh, especially as the fading light caused difficulties in the field. Although the run rate climbed to just below 10 an over, there was still a chance for High Easter. That chance slipped when indecision cost Hills (65) his wicket. After Gliddon hit the ball to Nolde at cover, Hills hesitated and was run out, sacrificing himself for his skipper.
Rayleigh regained control, and some tight bowling pushed the required run rate beyond 10 an over. Gliddon, showing great resilience, reached his hundred off 101 balls, but his innings ended when he holed out to Littler at cow corner for 124 from 109 deliveries. That dismissal all but sealed Rayleigh’s victory. Nolde and Patel mopped up the tail, and High Easter were bowled out for 257, giving Rayleigh a 66-run win. Nunn (2-39 from 8 overs) and Patel (2-40 from 6.2 overs) were the pick of the bowlers.
A fantastic all-round performance from Rayleigh to end the league season, securing safety in the 3rd Division. They finished 7th, six points clear of High Easter.