Weekly Round Up (w/e 11th June)

1st XI won by 6 wickets vs. Great Totham (24 points)

With Rob Littler on a stag-do, Jason Ox came in as skipper for the 1st XI. Unfortunately, Ox lost the toss and Great Totham elected to bat first on a roasting afternoon.

Great Totham lost quick wickets at regular intervals and were only able to post 176 before being bowled out in the 40th over. All bowlers played a part, including Ian Turnbull (7-0-44-3), Akash Nanayakkara (9-1-28-2) and John Isherwood (9-2-32-2).

Rayleigh were able to knock off the total easily, despite losing some quick wickets. Jason Ox was the stand out with the bat (again), clocking up 77* and formed an 81 run stand with Sam Harmsworth (42*). Rayleigh finished on 177-4, securing victory with more than half the innings remaining.

3rd XI won by 18 runs Terling 2nd XI (25 points)

The 3rd XI welcomed Terling 2nd XI to the new ground. Would the 3s continue their dominance in division seven and make it five wins on the bounce?

Skipper Nunn won the toss and elected to bat first. Unfortunately quick wickets fell, but Neil Noble (56*) managed to continue his scintillating run of form, supported by Steve Sully (30), Kalpesh Patel (30) and John Wright (30). Rayleigh managed to post 209-9 from their 45 overs from a pitch that offered a bit for the bowlers.

Terling started well with a 49 run partnership for the first wicket, but lost two wickets thanks to Ben Hoskins and John Wright. Despite some robust performances from the opposition, the wickets continued to tumble and Terling were bowled out for 191 in 38 overs. The standout bowler was Ben Hoskins who recorded fanatstic figures of 7-2-37-4. Well done, Ben!

4th XI lost by 72 runs vs. Theydon Bois 2nd XI (6 points)

Rayleigh made the (very) long trip trip to Theydon Bois. Skipper Peppiatt lost the toss (third time in a row) and unsurprisingly the opposition elected to bat on a wicket resembling the M25.

Rayleigh let the opposition get their eye in, but thanks to some tight bowling from Ollie Bennett (8-1-36-2) Rayleigh made inroads. Zach Skillett (5-0-38-2) came back into the attack and took two quick wickets, getting Rayleigh back into the game. Theydon were able to reach 245-6, which was about par on that wicket.

Rayleigh started poorly, losing three wickets for only 17 runs. Theydon bowled sharply and were able to take the wicket of Brad Walker (20) in the 13th over. Tom Peppiatt (32) and Steve Gosling (42*) rebuilt the innings well, putting on 87 runs for the 6th wicket. The skipper eventually fell (none of the team were convinced he really knew what end of the bat to use during his innings) and Sam Skillett (27) swung hard to bring up some much needed batting points for the 4s. Rayleigh finished on 173-7.

5th XI won by 119 runs vs. Willow Herbs 2nd XI (25 points)

The 5s made the journey to Blackmore to play Willow Herbs, seeking a much needed win in the league.

Willow Herbs won the toss and elected to field on the hottest day of the year so far. Rayleigh started strongly with Marc Smith scoring 53 and Kuldeep Paik scoring 57 to give the travelling side a total of 246-6.

The opposition batted through the evening heat to reach a total of 127. Rayleigh recorded some excellent bowling figures which included James Offer (3-2-1-3).

6th XI won by 145 runs vs. Eastwood 3rd XI (26 points)

Captains Bond and Lennox hosted Eastwood on the back pitch at Rawreth Lane. Rayleigh won the toss and batted first – posting 244 for the loss of only 3 wickets. Robert (Bobby) Mills scored a fantastic 95 on debut for Rayleigh, supported by Steve Adams (41*) and Duncan Bond (39).

Eastwood collapsed in response, thanks to some fantastic bowling from Rayleigh. Andy James was the pick of the bowlers, recording figures of 8-2-17-4. Young Lewis Mills and slightly older Stever Adams also picked up two wickets each. Eastwood subsided on 99 all out.

7th XI won by two wickets vs. West Mersea (friendly)

West Mersea won the toss and batted first. Thanks to some good bowling from the 7s, Mersea were skittled for 102. Aaron Akers (5-0-17-2), Robin Peppiatt (5-1-15-2) and Sam Plank (4-0-13-2) picked up two wickets each.

In response, Rayleigh chased down the target in 26 overs. Robin ‘Old Man’ Peppiatt (OMP) top scoring with 23*.

Sunday XI tied vs. Rankins (friendly)

Rankins won the toss and batted first, posting 226-9 from 35 overs. Sam Keene was the pick of the bowlers (7-2-27-4), supported by Xavier Garms (7-0-48-2) and Akash (7-1-26-2).

In reply, Rayleigh started well with James Balkwill (38*), Josh Francis (35*), Akash Nanayakkara (35*) and Sam Keene (35*) all retiring not out. Despite this, Rayleigh couldn’t get over the line and in a thrilling finished tied scores with Rankins.

Ladies XI won by 25 runs vs. Maldon (20 points)

Maldon lost the toss and asked Rayleigh to bat first. Thanks to great knocks from Georgia Wilson (26*), Gill Collins (25*) and Katrina Mayfield (17), Rayleigh were able to post a commanding total of 138-3 from their 20 overs.

In response, Maldon didn’t really get going and lost wickets throughout their innings thanks to Georgia Wilson (4-1-5-3) and Katrina Mayfield (4-0-24-2). With key wickets lost, Maldon ran out of steam and fell 25 runs short.