RAYLEIGH’S first team entertained neighbours Rankins first XI in a game shortened to 35 overs because of a wet pitch in the T Rippon Mid Essex League Division One.

Rankins batted first and scored 194-6, Matt Gilmore taking 3-44. Rayleigh fell short of this target by 12 runs. In division three, the second team visited Tillingham’s firsts who they bowled out for 183 (Liam Druce 3-7, Trevor Nunn 3-35). A quickfire 50 not out from Sam Verrinder supported by Liam Druce (32*) enabled them to pass this total for the loss of seven wickets. The thirds game against Sandon Sports was postponed but the fourths played, losing an entertaining encounter at home to Mountnessing.

The visitors batted first and scored 259-6. Rebecca Holyoak (38), Steve Gosling (37) and Matt Walker (32) all started well but the team fell short on 216-9.

In division 11, Boreham’s second XI visited Rayleigh’s fifths who batted first and scored 257-8, Alan Brown (52*) leading the scoring. The visitors were bowled out for 54, Andy James taking 4-32, Gary Bush 3-18 and Tony Catling 3-38. The sixth team scored 300-5 against Hornchurch Athletic fourths, who crushed them earlier in the season, with Duncan Bond (94*) and Steve Rothon (81) both acheiving personal best scores. They then bowled the home side out for 54, Sam Levett taking 3-21. The seventh team entertained Thurrock 5th XI who scored 157 all out, Harry Donahue taking 4-12 and they chased that total down with a ball to spare, Mike Sullivan top scoring with 42.

The Women & Girls XI travelled to Colchester to play a Beaumont Seymour League semi-final against Abingdon, runners up in the North Division. Batting first, Rayleigh scored 43-1 off the first 10 overs and a reasonable score looked likely but the scoring rate dropped and wickets fell regularly with the innings closing on 83-6. Abingdon passed the target in the 16th over for the loss of three wickets.

In the South Essex District Cricket Board Under-15 League West Group, Rayleigh batted first and scored 111-5 in their 20 overs, Craig Smith (29) and Conor Slough (26) top scoring. In a close finish Belhus Under 15 scored 105-8, Josh Jones taking 2-15 and Conor Slough and Liam Harrold 2-20 in their four overs.