RAYLEIGH’S women’s side lost their first match of the season at the weekend but remain top of the Beaumont Seymour League South Division.

Without three of their strike bowlers, the team entertained Woodham Mortimer who scored 113-3. In reply, Rayleigh scored 79-8, with Sophie Lennox retiring on 28 not out.

Elsewhere, there were three wins and three defeats for Rayleigh men’s sides in the T Rippon Mid-Essex League.

The firsts travelled to Burnham Sports II and batted first on a pitch of uneven bounce. At 77-7, defeat was looking to be the likely result, but the tail wagged as they ended on 146 all out. Another excellent spell of bowling by Ian Turnbull taking six wickets saw the hosts all out for 98. This result leaves them fouth in the table at the halfway stage of the season.

The seconds hosts Broomfield’s firsts who batted first and made 214-5. James Ellis (91) and Steven Lynch (60) enabled the 2nd XI to pass the target for the loss of five wickets.

The third team failed to chase down Great Walthan’s seconds score of 210-5. Alex Jones (31) top scored as they were all out for 180.

Rainham’s seconds easily chased down Rayleigh fourths target of 129-6 in division eight, getting to the total for the loss of just three wickets.

The fifth team sit pretty at the top of division 11 as they crushed Great Totham’s thirds (102-8). Rob Wilson (77*) and Richard Verrinder knocked the runs off without losing a wicket.

In division 12, the sixth team were well beaten by Great Baddow fourths after being skittled all out for 72.

In a friendly, a very young seventh side travelled to play an equally young Chelmsford sixth XI who batted first and amassed 293-5.

Jess Walker (56) and Steve Rothon (73) gave Rayleigh a flying start but few of the remaining batters contibuted and they were bowled out for 165.

In the youth section, the under-15s were beaten by Rankins in the South Essex District Cricket Board Under 15B East Group.

Batting first, Rankins scored 118-3, Owen Brooks 1-13 and Cameron MacDonald 1-14 off their 14 overs. In reply Rayleigh scored 92-4, Callum Bishop (18) and Elliot Davies (16*) top scoring.

The under-13s (61-9) were well beaten by Leigh A (156-4).

The under-11s met Hadleigh & Thundersley who made 281-4 (net score 261) with Rayleigh replying with 281-9 (net score 236). Hadleigh & Thundersley won by 25 runs.

The under-11s B side (288-5, net score 263), beat Southend Echo Monarch Trojans B (308-11, net score 253) by 10 runs.