Weekly Round Up: Presidents Week, Dream Debuts & Records Broken

Over the course of Presidents Week, we saw 2,855 runs scored, 112 wickets taken, and 575 overs bowled (at Rawreth Lane alone). A huge effort across the board.

Even better, our adult midweek sides remained unbeaten, showcasing some fantastic (and some more eclectic) cricket. The week also featured brilliant games for our junior players, who continue to grow and impress on the field.

We’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who played in matches, helped behind the scenes, or simply lent a hand to keep things running smoothly. In particular, special thanks go to:

• Andrew Barker – for organising Colts Day on Tuesday and running the brilliant 6-a-side tournament on Sunday.
• Sam Mayfield and the Mayfield family – for preparing teas for the Vets game and keeping the bar running all week.
• Ben Francis – for manning the BBQ on Presidents Day and keeping everyone well-fed.
• Danny Mantle – for giving up his day off to live stream Monday’s fixture.
• The Frost family – for running the bar during the Bairdy Memorial Match.
• Sue & Brad Walker – for being on hand throughout the week and supporting from the side lines.
• Paul Harmsworth – ensuring our grounds and wickets were ready for action.

And to the many other volunteers who supported throughout the week – your help, time, and energy didn’t go unnoticed.

Here’s a full run-down of all the action from a memorable week of cricket.

It was a successful weekend for our league teams, with four wins out of six matches.

The 1st XI were back to their dominant best, beating Broomfield by 9 wickets after chasing down 175 in just 21 overs. The victory was made even more special by three 1st XI debuts, as Henry Murrell, Sam Skillett and Ryan Hart all stepped up to the top side. A huge well done to all three – and congratulations to Henry, who continued his sensational form with a third consecutive century! Watch the best bits from Henry’s innings on TikTok.

The 4th XI returned to form on Saturday after a tough run of results over the past month. They restricted Upminster to 159 all out with a solid bowling performance, before chasing the target down in 35 overs – thanks largely to another blistering innings from Terry Martin, who finished unbeaten on 81. A great team effort and a well-earned win!

The 5th XI also got back to winning ways, chasing down a challenging total with a few overs to spare against South Loughton. Despite a century in the visitors’ opening innings, Rayleigh’s response was a true team effort with contributions throughout the order. James Offer (39) and Marc Smith (39*) led the way with the bat to guide the side home. A strong all-round performance to seal the win!

Last, but by no means least, Ray’s Rayleigh Renegades (6th XI) made the trip to Purleigh for the much-anticipated AB Classico against Tillingham – and came away with a commanding 8-wicket victory. It was a strong all-round team performance, with the bowling unit setting the tone. Thomas Barker (2/22) and Robin “OMP” Peppiatt (2/17) led the attack, keeping things tight throughout. In reply, the batters made light work of the chase, with Steve Rothon (48), Ray Hart (25) and Oliver Church (27) all contributing to see Rayleigh home in style.

Read all match reports from the weekend below.

Rayleigh CC secured a stunning victory over Broomfield CC 1st XI on Saturday, August 2nd, with an explosive batting performance led by the sensational Henry Murrell.

Winning the toss and electing to field, Rayleigh’s bowlers put in a solid effort to restrict Broomfield to a total of 175 all out in 40.3 overs. The bowling attack was a collective success, with several bowlers contributing to the wickets – including a certain seed from Danny Frost, which has become somewhat of a viral sensation on TikTok this week (50k+ views and counting). Click to watch.

However, the real spectacle began when Rayleigh took to the crease. The opening partnership of Jason Ox and Henry Murrell got off to an electric start, racing to 50 runs in just 3.4 overs. Ox’s brief but brutal innings of 35 from just 18 balls, including five fours and two sixes, set the tone.

After Ox’s departure, Henry Murrell continued the onslaught. He brought up his half-century in just 39 balls, before going on to reach a magnificent century in a mere 67 balls. His incredible knock of 103 not out was decorated with 16 fours and 2 sixes. Murrell was ably supported by Sam Harmsworth, who made a steady 24 not out from 43 balls, as the pair guided Rayleigh to victory in just 21.1 overs with nine wickets in hand.

It was a truly dominant performance by the Rayleigh side, with Murrell’s incredible hundred being the undoubted highlight of the day.

Rayleigh CC’s Second XI put in a valiant effort but ultimately fell to a narrow four-run defeat against Springfield in a high-scoring game at Coronation Park.

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, Rayleigh’s bowlers were faced with a strong Springfield bowling line-up. Andrew Barker (16) and Richard Nolde (32) started well, with the first wicket falling for 53. Unfortunately, both the skipper and Barker fell in short succession at it was up to the middle order to steady ship. Ashworth had a quick cameo, but the real damage was inflicted by Matt Walker (80) and David Cox (59*) who put 118 runs between them. When Walker finally fell, a bit of sublime biffing from Calum Mayfield (42*) helped the 2nd XI reach 264-5.

Despite the runs on the board, only Tom Godfrey could manage an economy below 5 an over and Springfield soon started to propel themselves towards the Rayleigh total. A ton from James Gooday (113), supported by Pav Singh (52) did most of the damage and Springfield managed to chase down the target with three balls remaining.

While it was a tough loss, the team can be proud of a competitive performance that went down to the wire.

Rayleigh 3rd XI fell to a 63-run defeat at home to Springfield 4th XI in the Mid Essex Sixth Division.

After winning the toss and choosing to field, Rayleigh faced a strong batting display from the visitors. Sid Thunga (89) and Alex Horne (65) led the way as Springfield posted 219-6 from their 45 overs. Andy Long was the pick of the bowlers with 3-49, supported by Sangeet Prasad (2-41).

In reply, Rayleigh made a steady start with James Isherwood (30) and Brad Walker (27), but a flurry of wickets stalled momentum. Despite a late unbeaten 24 from Xavier Garms, the hosts were bowled out for 156 in 40.5 overs. Will Aldworth (4-21) and Simon Dyson (2-18) did the damage for Springfield.

Rayleigh picked up 5 points from the match and will look to bounce back next week.

After a long drive to Romford, Rayleigh 4th XI arrived at the picturesque Brian Clay Memorial Ground. Hopes were high, with fond memories of good wickets from the past – but those hopes quickly faded. The pitch was difficult to read, and was hard to distinguish what was actually the cut track, and any thoughts of a batting paradise were shelved. What had been dubbed a “good toss to lose” quickly became a vital one to win.

Thankfully, Captain Morgan called correctly and wisely chose to bowl on the green-topped strip. Rayleigh made early breakthroughs, with Cam Mantle (8-1-35-2) striking twice to leave Upminster 22-2. The skipper chipped in himself with tidy figures of 8-0-25-1, removing the set batter. Wickets were shared around, with Chloe Martin (5.5-1-32-2) mopping up the tail—her efforts capped by a sharp catch from Peps in the silly cover/point region. Upminster were bowled out for a modest total.

Rayleigh’s top order approached the chase cautiously, buoyed by signs the pitch had begun to settle. Terry Martin and Duncan Baldwin laid a steady foundation before Baldwin fell for a solid start. Tom Peppiatt was unfortunate to be trapped (by the skipper) LBW by a misbehaving short ball, but young Oliver Barker (36*) showed great maturity to steady the innings. At the other end, Terry Martin was imperious—finishing unbeaten on 81 from 85 balls to guide Rayleigh home comfortably inside 36 overs.

A composed, all-round team effort with the ball and a calm, classy chase sealed a well-earned victory.

On a sunny afternoon at Rawreth Lane, skipper Smith won the toss and had no hesitation in putting South Loughton 3s in to bat on a freshly rolled wicket that looked like it might offer something early – and it certainly did.

Opening pair Offer and Smith set the tone immediately, each claiming a wicket in their opening spells. Offer, bowling towards the lively Rawreth Lane end, was unplayable at times, sending balls seaming over the batsmen’s heads and keeping Hammond very busy behind the stumps.

The rest of the Rayleigh attack backed them up brilliantly, keeping things tight and disciplined. Tobias and Yousaf chipped in with a wicket apiece, and impressively, every bowler finished with an economy under five runs an over. Despite a solid foundation from the visitors and some gritty resistance, they were held to 194/6 from their 40 overs—a good effort from the home side, especially considering McDonagh had to leave the field at the 25-over mark due to illness.

Chasing 194, Rayleigh had to shuffle the batting order, with McDonagh bravely opening alongside Hammond to allow Shano an early exit, as illness had clearly taken hold. Unfortunately for Shano, his brief appearance will be remembered for all the wrong reasons: struck on the jaw by his first ball of the innings, he left the field shortly after with a seam mark and a rapidly swelling face.

Hammond fell soon after—triggered by the skipper himself, much to Hammond’s disbelief (and vocal protestations). At 64-4, things were looking dicey.

But the middle order dug in and showed great composure under pressure. Offer batted with purpose for a well-made 39, Allen added a valuable 22, and Smith led from the front with a classy unbeaten 39. James finished the job alongside the skipper with a calm 16*, guiding Rayleigh home with an over to spare.

A quality game of cricket, full of character, drama, and a fair few bruises. In the end, Rayleigh 5s held their nerve to secure a well-earned 4-wicket win.

After losing the toss, Rayleigh were asked to bowl on a slow wicket. The bowling unit responded well, keeping the run rate in check throughout. Thomas Barker (2-22) and Robin Peppiatt (2-17) were the pick of the attack, with Shriram Balamurugan also chipping in (1-31). Andy James impressed with a miserly spell of 8-3-11-0. Despite some late resistance from Tillingham’s Nathaniel Dowling (26*), the hosts were restricted to 108-6 from their 40 overs.

Rayleigh’s reply got off to a slow start with the early loss of Mark Bailey (hit wicket), but the innings soon settled as Oliver Church (27) and Stephen Rothon built a steady platform. Rothon went on to anchor the chase with a well-crafted 48*, supported by a fluent 25* from skipper Raymond Hart. Rayleigh reached their target comfortably in 24.5 overs, closing on 110-2.

A disciplined bowling display and composed batting performance earned Rayleigh the full 20 points.