The heavy rain on Friday made batting difficult throught the League resulting in many low scoring matches but the five Rayleigh sides were fortunate to complete all their games. In these conditions winning the toss and putting the other side into bat was quite a big advantage.
The 1st XI were at home to Burnham 1st XI who batted first and were bowled out for 90, Mike Walsh taking 4-24. The 1st XI made heavy weather of their reply but eventually reached 94-7 to win by 3 wickets.
The 2nd XI travelled to Old Chelmsfordians 2nd XI and were asked to bat first and were bowled out for 86, which total the hosts passed for the loss of 4 wickets to inflict a first defeat on the 2nd XI in the league this season.
The 3rd XI were away to Hockley and batting first scored 141-9, Kalpesh Patel scoring 48. Hockley were bowled out for 67, Adam Dudmish taking 4 wickets for 2 runs in 7 overs and John Stirk 3 wickets.
The 4th XI were at home to top of the table Boreham 2nd XI and were skittled out for 88 despite Sam Verrinder top-scoring with 27. The visitors scored 89-3 in reply to win by 7 wickets.
The 5th XI played Stock 4th XI at Purleigh. Stock batted first and were bowled out for 84, Andy James taking 3-13 and Luke Sullivan taking 3-20. Rayleigh passed this score for the loss of 3 wickets, Tony Catling (35) and Frank Tennyson (22*) leading the scoring.
The Women & Girls XI batted first against Old Chelmsfordians in a fixture to decide third place in the league and scored 82-6, Rebecca Holyoak 25* and Jodie Billett 21*. Jodie also took 3-6 in the OCs innings but they only needed to score 4 runs to win off the last over. However, with captain Lorraine Frost bowling the last over she took a wicket with the first ball and restricted the scoring to 2 runs off the over to enable Rayleigh to win by 1 run.
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The 6th (Dragons) XI were due to play Chelmsford 6th XI but the game was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch.
The 6th (Eagles) XI travelled to the picturesque ground of Great and Little Warley to play Chalkwell Misfits. Our view from the South Weald over the Essex greenbelt suggested rain was approaching and in anticipation of precipitation the match was reduced to 35 overs. The Misfits were dismissed for 117 with five catches being held and a good performance from all the bowlers including Paul Cox 4-21 and Ben James 2-25.
A heavy rain shower on an already wet pitch at the commencement of the Rayleigh innings slowed our scoring considerably. The first three batsmen all succumbing in similar fashion to the ball skidding through low. The middle order were able to shore the innings under some sunshine and the Eagles reached 70 all out off 32 overs.
South Essex District Cricket Board Colts League matches
Rayleigh Under 15B XI 87-5
Leigh Under 15B XI 84 all out (Conor Slough 3-14)
Rayleigh win by 3 runs
All Sunday games were washed out.
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