RAYLEIGH captain Matt Gilmore admits he is hoping for more luck in future after a contentious decision went against his team against Rettendon.

During the Rettendon innings, batsman Jason McNally appeared to nick the ball behind although he was not given out despite the Rayleigh protestations.

Gilmore says McNally admitted to clipping the ball in the tea break, with Rayleigh going on to lose by 117 runs after a disappointing run chase.

And he said it left a sour taste in the mouth.

“We lost the toss and they decided to bat which was a bit of a surprise and we started well.

“McNally edged the ball behind and the umpire didn’t hear it in the wind. We thought he had hit it and at tea he said he admitted to it and decided not to walk. It got a bit heated!

“It left a bit of a sour taste and he got 30 runs which could have been important in a low-scoring game.

“We started very well. Adam Vyse got 35 in his first ever first-team game but 59-0 to 117 all out.

“It is an important spell coming up,” he said.

“We play Great Baddow next and High Roding in the weeks to come so if we can get to the halfway point of the season having won three it’s not the end of the world.”

Luke Sullivan took 3-37 for Rayleigh, who sit second from bottom.

Canvey Island climb to sixth after a hugely emphatic 101-run win against Goresbrook.

In Division Two, the 2s scored 164-8, Chris Frost taking three wickets. Only Callum Ginbey (43) mastered the Goresbrook bowling as they fell 12 runs short on 152.

In Division 5, the 3s took on Writtle 2s who were bowled out for 149, Steve Adams taking 3-22 and James Wratten 3-32.

This total proved too much for the 3s, Mike Law’s 25 not out the best with the bat.

In Division 7, the 4s were led home by John Wright (63 not out) as Rayleigh took a fifth wicket In Division 8, the 5s were at home to unbeaten Rainham 3s, winning by just one run in a thrilling match.

The 6s were crushed by Boreham 2s in Division 10.

In the Beaumont Seymour Women & Girls Cricket League, Rayleigh were winners in 20 overs, Sophie Lennox (28), Rebecca Holyoak (26) and Louise Harmsworth (25) all retiring.

In the South Essex District Cricket Board Under-15 West League, Rayleigh Dragons defeated Belhus, with Harry Bailey taking 3-13 and Callum Mayfield 3-29.

South Essex District Cricket Board Under 15 East League. Rayleigh Eagles played Leigh. Rayleigh batted first and were bowled out for 82, a target Leigh passed for the loss of 1 wicket in the 10th over.

Results: Premier Division: Rayleigh 117-10 lost to Rettendon 159-8 by 42 runs, Canvey Island 171-10 beat Great Baddow 70-10 by 101 runs.

Division Two: Eastwood 241-8 beat Ingatestone 158-10 by 83 runs, Rayleigh 2s 152-10 lost to Goresbrook 2s 164-8 by 12 runs.

Division Three: Rayleigh Fairview 93-4 beat Woodham Mortimer 92-10 by six wickets, Noak Hill Taverners 224-8 beat Purleigh 155-10 by 69 runs.

Division Four: South Woodham Ferrers 163-7 lost to East Hanningfield & Great Burstead 167-7, Rankins 238-5 beat Rettendon 202-10 by 36 runs.

Division Five: Great Wakering 163-10 lost to Hornchurch Athletic 2s 167-5 by five wickets, Rayleigh 3s 89-10 lost to Writtle 2s 149-10 by 60 runs, St Johns Billericay 130-10 lost to Rainham 2s 154-10 by 24 runs.

Division Six: Rayleigh Fairview 2s 127-10 lost to Ongar 130-4 by six wickets, Noak Hill Taverners 2s 263-7 beat Havering-atte-Bower 2s 146-10 by 117 runs, Eastwood 2s 181-8 lost to Tillingham 2s 184-1.

Division Seven: Rayleigh 4s 215-5 beat Wickham 214-7, Old Southendian & Southchurch 64-10 lost to Galleywood 2d 305-5 by 241 runs.

Division Eight: Rayleigh 5s 163-8 beat Rainham 162-8, Rankins 2s 136-10 beat East Hanningfield & Great Burstead 2s 70-10 by 66 runs, Canvey Island 2s 105-10 lost to South Woodham Ferrers 2s 108-3 by seven wickets.

Division Nine: Eastwood 3s 185-6 beat Great Baddow 4s 182-9, Rankins 3s 243-10 beat Goresbrook 4s 189-1.

Division 10: St Johns Billericay 2s 140-7 beat South Woodham Ferrers 3s 139-10 by three wickets, Rayleigh 6s 99-10 lost to Boreham 2s 222-7 by 123 runs.