The wait for competitive cricket came to an end last weekend as the T-Rippon Mid-Essex League campaign officially began. Pre-season optimism is one thing, but our Saturday sides quickly backed it up on the pitch, delivering five wins out of six. With both bat and ball, there were strong individual milestones and excellent team efforts that show the Club is already finding its stride. Here is the roundup from week one.
This Week’s Fixtures
We have already seen the U15 Eagles in action earlier this week, who unfortunately came up short against Rankins in their opening SECPG league fixture.
The Women & Girls XI were due to play Maldon this evening (Friday 8th May); however, the game has now been cancelled owing to Maldon merging with another neighbouring team.
Saturday features a jam-packed slate with our six adult league teams taking to the field in the second week of the T-Rippon Mid Essex League. Due to strong availability, we are also fielding a Friendly XI vs. Upminster.
Player of the Week
We’re pleased to welcome back our Player of the Week segment, sponsored by our friends at K9ology – Dog Psychology & Training.
Despite some excellent performances across the Club, there was only ever one person in the running this week. In only his sixth game of cricket for Rayleigh CC, and first game this year, Jake Deacon smashed an incredible 115* for the 4th XI in their opening league fixture against Upminster Cricket Club in division ten. Jake’s innings included 15 fours and 5 sixes, helping the 4th XI to an excellent opening victory. Take a bow, Jake!
Week One Summary
With all games managing to swerve the forecasted bad weather, the Club produced one of its best opening weekends in recent years, securing five victories out of six fixtures to start the season. Although the 5th XI ultimately fell short of a win, they battled hard against a strong Galleywood side, who are new entrants to Division Eleven after gaining promotion last year.
There were excellent individual performances across the board. Aside from Jake Deacon’s heroics, Richard Nolde (90) and Chairman Ben Francis (86) returned to glorious form with the bat. John Wright (67), Andrew Baker (66), Jake Osbourn (56), and Neil Noble (52) also made quick, high-scoring starts to their campaigns.
With the ball, Sangeet Prasad continued his prolific form from last season, taking an outstanding 4-9. Josh Rockenbach (4-11) also joined the four-wicket club, helping to secure a vital victory against Belhus in Division Eleven. The bowling attack was well-supported across the XIs, with Tom Barker (3-12), Bobby Mills (3-15), Arvin Ghataura (3-18), Ryan Hart (3-30), Tom Peppiatt (3-30), Ben James (3-32), and Nick Green (3-53) all impressing.
You can view the full scorecards, along with a summary of our top performers, below.
Highest Scores
Best Bowling
Match Reports
Osbourn Stars in 1st XI Opening Victory
Hatfield Peverel 1st XI vs. Rayleigh 1st XI | Won by 86 Runs | Mid Essex League Division One
After losing the toss and being asked to bat first by the hosts, Rayleigh amassed an imposing total of 268-9 from their allotted 45.0 overs. The innings was anchored by a superb half-century from Jake Osbourn, who top-scored with 56. The middle order chipped in beautifully to keep the scoreboard ticking over and build a formidable target, featuring vital knocks from Jonathan Cook (37), Ian Turnbull (34), and Jason Ox (32).
Chasing 269 for victory, Hatfield Peverel found themselves under consistent pressure despite resilient innings from Andy Cheek (57) and Nasar Khan (49). The Rayleigh bowling attack proved too sharp, ultimately dismissing the hosts for 182 in 35.5 overs. Bobby Mills led the charge with the ball, claiming fantastic figures of 3-15 off his 4.0 overs. He was well-supported by Mihir Patel (2-37) and Ian Turnbull (2-23), wrapping up an emphatic opening-day win for the 1s.
Batting Masterclass from the Chairman and Captain Nolde
Rayleigh 2nd XI vs. Willow Herbs 1st XI | Won by 4 Wickets | Mid Essex League Division Four
After winning the toss and electing to field, the 2nd XI found themselves under immediate pressure against Willow Herbs. The visitors raced out of the blocks, thanks to a blistering start by opener Tom Adams – despite some economical (and frankly unlucky) opening spell from Tom Godfrey. The crucial breakthrough came courtesy of Tom Peppiatt (3-30), who halted the momentum by removing both Adams (55 off 44 balls) and his opening partner Daniel Tennant in quick succession. Peppiatt then grabbed a third to put Rayleigh firmly back in the contest. Despite solid middle-order contributions from Charlie Yorke (42) and Arthur Austin (35), the Rayleigh bowling unit worked perfectly in tandem to stifle the innings. Nick Green (3-53) and Ryan Hart (3-30) ripped through the rest of the line-up, bowling Willow Herbs out for 217 in the final over of their innings.
In reply, Rayleigh’s run chase was a masterclass from the top of the order. Chairman Ben Francis and Captain Richard Nolde completely took the game away from the visitors, forging a massive 151-run opening partnership. Francis smashed an aggressive 86, while Nolde anchored the chase magnificently to top-score with 90. When Francis finally fell to Charlie Harvey (2-31), it triggered an unexpected middle-order wobble. Willow Herbs’ Tom Adams (3-39) returned with the ball to tear through the middle order, taking three quick wickets as Rayleigh lost four batters for just 23 runs. However, the brilliant foundation laid by the openers meant the required rate was never an issue. Nolde pushed the score to 216 before being bowled, leaving Ryan Hart (17*) to safely steer the 2nd XI over the line, sealing a four-wicket victory in the 37th over.
Barker and Prasad Star in Clinical 3rd XI Win
Tillingham 2nd XI vs. Rayleigh 3rd XI | Won by 195 Runs | Mid Essex League Division Six
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Rayleigh posted a formidable total of 247-5 from their 45 overs. Openers Jamie Lawson (32) and Captain Andy Scogings (16) provided a steady start, putting together a 55-run opening stand. The innings was then anchored by a 135-run third-wicket partnership between Andrew Barker, who top-scored with a well-made 66, and Neil Noble, who contributed 52. James Isherwood kept the scoreboard moving in the closing overs with an unbeaten 24.
In reply, Tillingham’s chase was quickly dismantled by an excellent opening spell from Sangeet Prasad. Prasad bowled nine overs, including four maidens, to claim figures of 4-9 and remove much of the hosts’ top order. The rest of the Rayleigh attack offered strong support and maintained strict control over the run rate. Thomas Barker was highly efficient, taking 3-12 in his five overs to clean up the middle and lower order, while David Archer (2-16) and Geoff Morgan (1-14) also chipped in with key wickets. Tillingham were ultimately dismissed for 52 in the 28th over, securing maximum points for the visitors.
Deacon Century Secures 4th XI Win Over Upminster
Rayleigh 4th XI vs. Upminster ME 2nd XI | Won by 21 Runs | Mid Essex League Division Ten
Rayleigh 4th XI opened their season in style with a hard-fought 21-run victory over a strong Upminster 2nd XI side in an entertaining and high-quality contest.
After being asked to bat first, Rayleigh faced a challenging start. The Upminster opening bowlers, Karim Govani (2-21) and Ed Knight (1-32), proved difficult to get away, and Rayleigh found themselves under early pressure at 68-3 following the dismissals of Terry Martin, Philip Hammond, and Xavier Garms.
However, the innings was completely transformed by a brilliant 105-run partnership between John Wright and Jake Deacon. Wright provided vital composure, crafting a fluent 67 from 68 balls. At the other end, Deacon produced a stunning display of power hitting, smashing 15 fours and five sixes on his way to an unbeaten 115 off just 69 deliveries. Mark Callaway added a late, brisk 26 not out to propel Rayleigh to a formidable total of 270-4 from their 40 overs.
Upminster’s reply started poorly when Shane McDonagh (1-37) trapped opener Ian Twine lbw in the early exchanges. However, Patrick Gulvin and Kayhan Suneel responded aggressively, forging a massive 167-run partnership to put the visitors back in contention.
Recognising the need for a shift in momentum, Captain Marc Smith turned to spin. The change worked perfectly; Smith (2-56) dismissed the dangerous Gulvin for 104 and quickly followed up by removing Joseph Hibell. A crucial run-out then saw the end of Suneel, who had played an impressive innings of 80. With the required run rate climbing, the Rayleigh bowlers maintained control in the closing overs, restricting Upminster to 249-4 and sealing a well-earned 21-run opening day win.
5th XI Show Fight in Defeat to Galleywood
Galleywood 4th XI vs. Rayleigh 5th XI | Lost by 4 Wickets | Mid Essex League Division Eleven
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Rayleigh posted a battling total of 150-8 from their allotted 40 overs. Following the early loss of the opening pair, the innings was steadied by solid middle-order contributions from Stephen Rothon (26) and Richard Barker (25). Ben James top-scored for Rayleigh with 33, while Duncan Bond provided late resistance to remain unbeaten on 23 at the close of the innings. Galleywood’s David Stacey was the standout bowler, claiming figures of 4-30 to consistently break partnerships and keep the score in check.
Defending 150, Rayleigh’s bowling attack made the hosts work hard for runs. Oliver Milchard (2-22) made early inroads by removing opener Freddie Barnard and number three Praveen Gopi. Ben James (3-32) followed up his strong batting display by taking charge with the ball, dismissing Tony Cutbill (28), Rob Smith (15), and Martin Noon (11) to keep Rayleigh firmly in the contest. Richard Barker (1-8) also maintained tight control during his four-over spell, picking up a key wicket.
However, David Stacey capped off an excellent all-round performance by anchoring the Galleywood chase. Supported by a quick 25 from Daniel Sims, Stacey steered his side over the line with an unbeaten 56, guiding the hosts to 153-6 in 35.2 overs to secure the victory. Despite the loss, it was a hard-fought performance from the 5th XI against strong opposition.
Rockenbach Shines as 6th XI Scramble Home
Rayleigh 6th XI vs. Belhus ME1 XI | Won by 3 Wickets | Mid Essex League Division Twelve
Elliot Davies led out the 6th XI in his first fixture as league captain. Losing the toss, Rayleigh were asked to have a bowl first. Shortly into the innings, Rayleigh’s strike bowler Andy Long pulled up injured after only 2.4 overs. However, Arvin Ghataura and Josh Rockenbach stepped up, taking an impressive 3-18 and 4-11 respectively. A counter attacking 50 from the opposition skipper gave the visitors something to defend, rescuing a position from 61-7 to eventually post 151 all out.
Rayleigh started their innings brightly, with opener Dave Turner scoring 34. But Belhus fought back and wickets tumbled, leaving Rayleigh 63-5. Yousuf Khan (40) and Mark Bailey (24) then stepped up, with a 79 run partnership to swing the game in Rayleigh’s favour. Despite a late flurry of wickets, Rayleigh were able to scramble home, scoring the winning run in the final over.
