RAYLEIGH have secured their first win of the T-Rippon Mid-Essex League season, much to the relief of captain Matt Gilmore.

The win at Brookweald was their first in five matches, following four defeats in a row, with Jason Ox’s 84 helping them over the line.

And Gilmore said it was a huge relief, and he is now hopeful of a positive response in the weeks to come, with a big game against Rettendon this Saturday.

“It is a massive relief to get the win at last,” said Gilmore, 27, from Hullbridge.

“After four losses in a row it was pretty much do-or-die so we needed a good result and we needed it quickly.

“After they had been batting for 20 overs and had lost just one wicket I thought we would struggle.

“But we all pitched in and we got there in the end, albeit in the final over.

“It was not particularly enjoyable.

“In our minds we know we should have done better against Canvey Island and Old Chelmsfordians,” he added.

“We have a big game on Saturday and need to try and go on a little run.

“We went two matches unbeaten last year but went unbeaten for half a season the year before in Division One so I hope we can find that sort of form once again.”

Rayleigh scored 222-8 in their innings but the result looked in doubt until Ian Bryant joined the attack, taking 4-41.

Wickets continued to fall but Brookweald only needed 10 runs with two overs and two wickets remaining.

But 2s captain Chris Frost (2-7) remained calm and took the last two wickets to give the team a welcome victory by eight runs to lift Rayleigh off the bottom of the table. It was defeat for Canvey Island in the Premier Division as they slumped to a home loss against high-flying Bentley.

Bentley reaches 236-9 in their 45 overs and Canvey didn’t come close in their response - all out for 143 in 40.5 overs.

Results: Division Two: Eastwood 225-7 lost to Havering-atte-Bower 281-5 by 56 runs, Rayleigh 2s 142-3 beat Chadwell Heath 139-9 by seven wickets.

Division Three: Noak Hill Taverners 111-10 lost to Broomfield 112-2 by eight wickets, Rayleigh Fairview 172-6 beat Galleywood 171-9 by four wickets.

Division Four: South Woodham Ferrers 183-9 lost to Rettendon 2s 186-8 by two wickets, Rankins 175-8 beat Great Waltham 2s 117-10 by 58 runs.

Division Five: St Johns Billericay 124-5 beat Writtle 2s 123-10 by five wickets, Rayleigh 3s 138-10 lost to Hornchurch Athletic 2s 181-6 by 43 runs, Great Wakering 117-2 beat Ingatestone 2s 116-10 by eight wickets.

Division Six: Noak Hill Taverners 2s 228-6 beat Bentley 3s 227-5 by four wickets, Eastwood 2s 170-9 beat Havering-atte-Bower 2s 67-10 by 103 runs, Rayleigh Fairview 2s 127-10 lost to South Weald 2s 130-1 by nine wickets.

Division Seven: Old Southendian and Southchurch 39-10 lost to Goresbrook 3s 180-6 by 141 runs, Rayleigh 4s 161-8 beat Hatfield Peverel 150-10 by 11 runs.

Division Eight: Rankins 2s 219-2 beat Navestock 2s 149-9 by 70 runs, South Woodham Ferrers 2s 85-10 lost to Rainham 3s 136-6 by 51 runs, Canvey Island 2s 217-4 beat Willow Herbs 2s 139-9 by 78 runs, Rayleigh 5s 209-9 beat Springfield 4s 177-8 by 32 runs.

Division Nine: Rankins 3s 137-10 lost to Eastwood 3s 138-8 by two wickets.

Division 10: South Woodham Ferrers 3s 64-10 lost to Galleywood 3s 65-2 by eight wickets, Rayleigh 6s 119-10 lost to Oaklands 141-10 by 22 runs, St Johns Billericay 2s 75-0 beat Hornchurch Athletic 4s 74-10 by 10 wickets.