Gilmore's pride as Rayleigh bounce back in T-Rippon Mid-Essex League

Rayleigh defeated Great Baddow, just one place above them in the standings, by 90 runs with a good performance with bat and ball.

At 58-4, things looked bleak for Rayleigh but Jon Cook (69) and Under-15 debutant Jess Walker (31) put on 88 for the fifth wicket.

Supported by Matt Lennox (40 not out), Rayleigh finished on 247 all out in the 45th over.

The hosts were always behind the required run rate and they were bowled out for 137 in the 40th over, with Ian Bryant 3-20, Luke Sullivan 2-25 and Ian Turnbull 2-30 being the pick of the bowlers.

“Batting has not been our strong suit this year so to set almost 250 and then to bowl so well on a flat pitch was especially pleasing, with early wickets giving us a real boost,” said Gilmore.

“Jess making his First XI and Premier Division debut at the age of 15 and scoring 31 in the partnership with Jon at a crucial stage of the game was very impressive, as was Matt’s 46 off 26 balls batting at number nine.

“It was a real team effort, with everyone pitching in.

“I’m optimistic for Goresbrook on Saturday,” he added.

“We finished third in the Premier Division last year in terms of bowling points so we have always had a strong bowling attack, and it’s good to see that fully firing now.

“We will have to be disciplined in our shot selection, but we know we are capable of beating any team in this league and it is a case of applying ourselves, which hopefully we can do.”

The 2s entertained Terling, but were well beaten, despite good efforts from Richard Abley (3-28), Sam Verrinder (3-46) and Chris Frost (2-33 and 41 not out).

The 3s were beaten by nine wickets against Rayne although the 4s beat Goresbrook 3s, Tony Catling taking 4-35 and Tom Godfrey 3-19.

In Division Eight, the 5s beat East Hanningfield 2s by three wickets, David Hall 4-21 and Andy James 3-24 the pick of the bowlers.

The 6s beat South Woodham Ferrers 3s with three balls to spare thanks to Steve Rothon (86 not out) and Gary Bush (32).

In the Beaumont Seymour Women & Girls Cricket League, Rayleigh beat Hutton by 28 runs and Rayleigh Dragons walloped Stanford-le-Hope in the South Essex District Cricket Board Under-15 West League, with Jack Andrews taking four wickets.

In the SEDCB Under-11 East League, Rayleigh Eagles beat Southend on Sea Echo Monarch Trojans by 15 runs.

Rayleigh Wyverns lost by 42 runs against Leigh in the SEDCB Under-11 East League.

Results: Division Two: Eastwood 184-10 lost to Bentley 2s 307-5 by 123 runs, Rayleigh 2s 90-10 lost to Terling 169-10 by 79 runs.

Division Three: Noak Hill Taverners 217-10 lost to High Easter 289-5 by 72 runs, Rayleigh Fairview 290-5 beat Springfield 3s 126-10 by 164 runs.

Division Four: Rankins 120-5 beat Brookweald 2s 119-10 by five wickets, South Woodham Ferrers 174-7 beat Willow Herbs 89-10 by 85 runs.

Division Five: St Johns Billericay 144-10 lost to Navestock 145-3 by seven wickets, Great Wakering 185-10 beat Writtle 2s 168-9 by 17 runs, Rayleigh 3s 126-10 lost to Rayne 130-1 by nine wickets.

Division Six: Rayleigh Fairview 2s 82-10 lost to Danbury 86-1 by nine wickets, Eastwood 2s 244-9 lost to South Weald 2s 251-5 by seven runs, Noak Hill Taverners 2s 192-10 beat Great Baddow 3s by three runs.

Division Seven: Old Southendian & Southchurch 191-2 beat Wickham 188-10 by eight wickets, Rayleigh 4s 176-8 beat Goresbrook 3s 146-10 by 30 runs.

Division Eight: South Woodham Ferrers 2s 262-5 beat Willow Herbs 2s 121-9 by 141 runs, Canvey Island 2s 191-4 beat Chignal 187-8 by six wickets, Rayleigh 5s 148-7 beat East Hanningfield & Great Burstead 145-8 by three wickets, Rankins 2s 224-4 beat Springfield 4s 220-6 by six wickets.

Division Nine: Rankins 3s 265-3 beat Great Baddow 4s 143-10 by 122 runs, Eastwood 3s 192-9 lost to Hornchurch Athletic 3s 193-2 by eight wickets.

Division 10: Rayleigh 6s 192-6 beat South Woodham Ferrers 3s 188-6 by four wickets, St Johns Billericay 2s 95-10 lost to Bentley 4s 96-3 by seven wickets.