Weekly Round Up: Murrell Maiden Century & Catling Returns

Welcome back to the Rayleigh Cricket Club Weekly Round-Up! After a short break, we’re back with all the latest cricket match reports and results from another action-packed week.

A reminder to all members that we are gearing up for a fantastic week of cricket soon, for Presidents Week 2025. Register your availability and interest using the link below.

It was an improved week for the club in the Mid Essex League, highlighted by a convincing 7-wicket win for the 2nd XI vs. Old Chelmsfordians – thanks to a maiden century for Henry Murrell and 4-wicket haul for Aaron Mayfield.

There was also success in the lower divisions, with the 3rd XI securing a hard-won 4 wicket win against Great Baddow in division six. Sangeet Prasad picked up another 4-wicket haul, and Jangeer Syed posted a fantastic half-century on debut, supported by skipper Trevor Nunn (37*) and James Isherwood (26).

Finally, the 5th XI thrashed our local ‘rivals’ Rayleigh Fairview, bowling them out for 91 and chasing the total down in 20 overs with six wickets still in hand. James Offer starred with the ball, taking 4 wickets for only 13 runs.

It’s been a challenging campaign so far for some of our sides, with the 2nd and 4th XIs currently sitting at the foot of their respective divisions. That said, recent wins have kept hopes alive as we head into the final seven fixtures of the season.

While the league table may not look ideal at first glance, it doesn’t tell the full story. The divisions this year are extremely competitive, with small margins separating several teams. A win this weekend could see the 2nd XI climb as high as 7th, while the 3rd XI have already made progress and another victory would push them into the middle of the pack. The 4th XI, despite battling with player availability, are still just a few results away from closing the gap on mid-table.

In colts cricket, it was a week of mixed fortunes. The U13 Hawks were the only colts team to record a victory. They lost to Eastwood on Tuesday, despite excellent contributions with the bat from Shri Balamurugan (29), Thomas Barker (27*) and Jamie Murray (15*); however, they didn’t put a foot wrong on Friday as they beat Belhus by 7 wickets. Thomas Barker (2/14) and Shri Balamurgan (2/6) starred with the ball, before the the former retired 31* supported by Arvin Ghataura who also hit an excellent 31*.

The Vets took on Eastwood, winning rather comprehensively by 8 wickets. It was a fantastic day at the club as old faces came down to cheer on our club’s most experienced players. A shoutout to Tony Catling, a club legend, who drove 2 hours to play his last game of cricket before turning 60. Terry Martin and David Archer did the damage with the ball, taking three wickets each. It was Mike Mayfield (50*), Mark Bailey (51*) and Terry Martin (31*) who starred with the bat – seeing Rayleigh home with ease.

Thank you to Alan Brown for the below photos from the day. View the full album on our Facebook Community Group.

The Sunday XI beat Rettendon by 113 runs on Sunday. Sam Harmsworth (54*), Siva Ranjan (46), Calum Mayfield (46) and Toby Turner (36) helped Rayleigh to 253-9. In response, Rettendon were bowled out for 140 thanks to an excellent bowling display from all players, with Thomas Barker (3/15) and Richard Nolde (3/8) being the pick of the bowlers.

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Rayleigh CC 1st XI travelled to Brentwood School (Rettendon’s ground being used for a flower show…) full of intent, having won the toss and electing to bat first. However, they were unable to capitalise on that early advantage, falling to a 7-wicket defeat at the hands of a disciplined Rettendon bowling attack.

The innings started tentatively with early pressure from Rettendon’s seamers. Rayleigh’s top order struggled to gain traction, losing three wickets with just 15 runs on the board. Only Jason Ox showed significant resistance in the upper order, crafting a patient 44 from 67 balls, including six boundaries and a six. His knock held the innings together while wickets continued to tumble around him.

A crucial late contribution from Mihir Patel added respectability to the total. Patel remained unbeaten on 27 from 73 deliveries, anchoring the tail. Calum Mayfield also chipped in with 11 before Rayleigh were eventually bowled out for 129 in 40.1 overs.

Rettendon’s bowlers shared the wickets evenly, with Adam Sullivan (3-18) and George Edwards (3-37) leading the way.

In defence of a modest target, Rayleigh’s bowlers needed early breakthroughs but were met with resistance from Rettendon’s openers. Despite a spirited effort from Ian Turnbull, who picked up 2 wickets for 25 runs, and a wicket for Danny Frost, the hosts cruised to the target in just 27 overs.

Rayleigh come away from this encounter with just 2 points and will look to regroup ahead of their next fixture, with positives to build on from Ox’s return to form and Patel’s resilience down the order.

After last weeks disappointing performance, the 2’s look to bounce back to winning ways against Old Chelmsfordians.

After losing the toss and being asked to field first, Aaron Mayfield and Tom Godfrey opened up the bowling. It was Mayfield who took the opening wicket with a ball strangled down the leg side which was nicely taken by Murrell. Rayleigh kept chipping away with wickets and keeping it tight in the field, only M Cant (73*) and J Lindsell (38) made real inroads for the visiting side. Mayfield was the star with the ball, taking a four wicket haul. It was a much improved fielding performance after last week, with Balkwill being given a new nickname of “the Great Wall of Balks” after taking an unreal catch and nothing getting past him in the field.

After bowling OC’s out for 187, Murrell and Balkwill looked to chase it down. After losing Balkwill early to the bowling of ex-county player Joe Grant, Walker joined Murrell and the duo easily put on 50 together. Sadly, Walker got a bit too excited and chipped one in the air. Miller then mishit a full toss to midwicket to leave Rayleigh 107-3. Professional Ringer Tom Peppiatt (17*) joined Murrell at the crease just in time to see Henry bring up his 50 in just 42 balls. Ticking along nicely at roughly 7 an over, Rayleigh managed to chase down the total in 26.2 overs with Murrell bringing up his maiden ton off 74 balls. A very composed innings putting the bad ball away with 16 fours.

The 2nd XI will look to build on this weekends win with an away game to Great Wakering which could be a season defining game!

Rayleigh CC claimed a hard-fought 4-wicket victory against a spirited and youthful Great Baddow side in a competitive contest on Saturday.

After being asked to bowl first, Rayleigh delivered a strong all-round performance with the ball. Sangeet led the attack with an impressive haul of 4 wickets, backed up by tight bowling from the rest of the side. In the field, Mike Mayfield was a standout, taking three catches and contributing a sharp run-out, showcasing Rayleigh’s energy and focus in the field.

There was also a light-hearted moment to enjoy — a rare “ct Noble b Noble” on the scorecard, adding some family flavour to the game!

Chasing 167 was always going to be a challenge, and Rayleigh’s innings saw regular wickets fall despite positive contributions from the top order. However, debutant Jay showed maturity and calm under pressure, guiding the side home with a composed 55 not out*, anchoring the chase perfectly.

A confident, team-driven win away from home and plenty of positives to take into next week’s return to Rawreth Lane. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Rayleigh 4th XI hosted Great Totham 3rd XI at Rawreth Lane. Bowling first, Rayleigh worked hard to contain the visitors. John Wright led the attack with 2-32, while Andy Long, Geoff Morgan, Miller Poole, and Chloe Martin each picked up a wicket to share the load. However, the visitors’ middle-order anchored the innings, particularly through an unbeaten 57 from skipper Max Clarke, lifting Great Totham to 219-6 from their 40 overs.

In reply, Rayleigh’s innings was built around a superb knock from Terry Martin, who struck 84 from 89 balls, including 15 boundaries. He was well supported early on by Duncan Baldwin (27) in an opening stand worth 89.

However, once Martin departed with the score at 137, Rayleigh’s chase began to unravel. Despite a quick 20 from Chris Poole, the lower order couldn’t sustain the momentum. Three run outs – including both Miller Poole and Andy James without scoring – proved costly, and the innings ended on 163 all out in 36 overs.

Rayleigh showed plenty of fight and flashes of quality, but were ultimately hampered by poor availability yet again in their campaign to remain in division nine. A shout out to Flynn Barker who made his debut in adult cricket and bowled with good pace and took some excellent catches in the field.

The 5th XI emerged victorious in a local derby against Rayleigh Fairview 2nd XI, sealing a 6-wicket win built on outstanding bowling and composed batting under pressure.

Having won the toss, skipper Marc Smith opted to bowl first. James Offer starred with the ball, producing a spell of 4 for 13 from 8 overs, including four maidens. He was well-supported by Marc Smith (2-29) and Ben James (2-4) as Fairview were bundled out for 91 in 31.5 overs.

In reply, Rayleigh’s batting had early stumbles but kept the chase under control. Philip Hammond gave the innings a brisk start with a run-a-ball 26, while Mark Callaway (19*) and Ben Allen (8*) steered the team home calmly after a brief wobble in the middle order. Rayleigh reached the target in 20.2 overs, finishing on 92-4.

Electing to bowl first after losing the toss, Rayleigh delivered a solid bowling performance to restrict the visitors to 160-9 from their 40 overs. Harry Rixon was the pick of the bowlers with 3-13, backed up by Robin Peppiatt (2-39) and Naiyan Shah (2-20). Thomas O’Sullivan also chipped in with a wicket in a tidy two-over spell.

Despite their efforts with the ball, Rayleigh’s reply never got going. Facing some relentless bowling, they were bowled out for 21 in 30.3 overs. Only Steve Adams (8) and Yousuf Khan (4) made it past three runs, with the rest of the lineup struggling against tight, wicket-to-wicket bowling—particularly from Jonathan Walsh (3-0 from 8 overs) and Ashik Satheesh (3-16).

While the result was a disappointing one, Rayleigh can take some heart from a disciplined bowling performance and will look to bounce back in the next outing with a more resilient showing with the bat.