The first team returned to Bull Meadow with the sun shining, the pitch nearly in the pub garden but 11 cricketers ready to go. The only change from Ilford as Liam returned for Phipps, and Jonny did the dutiful thing in the heat, win the toss and bat!
Nobby and Jono headed out and started watchfully, before both put away loose deliveries, however a mix up in the running left Jono stranded and us one down. Henge joined Nobby and carried on the positive mood, only to be undone by one that bounced more than expected and caught on the short boundary. Liam didn't last long on his return, his off stump knocked back and leaving us 52-3, with FGA and Nob in the middle. Rob carried on his merry way, looking more and more like the batsman of last year, and was closing on his first 50 of the year, before the umpire was the only one on the ground to hear a nick and send Nobby on his way. FGA swept the on-coming spinner beautifully for 4, before his furniture was rearranged from a quicker one and we were teetering again on 106-5. Pooky and Jonny batting together in a rebuild effort, Pook the initial aggressor trying to get a total on the board as both dragged us to the second set of drinks 126-5. After drinks it was Jonny who began to push the score, finding the boundary off the spinner as well as good running, and a competitive total looked closer, until Pook was caught trying to hit the longest boundary and just falling short. Tim came and went, snicking off, and after a couple of boundaries from Jonny he followed suit. Danny, Ryan and Tommy did their best to add to the total, but the Kennedy brothers both fell and we were bowled out for a disappointing 176.
Tea rating: No Nugs! Plenty for good options though and nicely presented, very much enjoyed. 7.5/10
The Kennedy brothers took the new ball knowing wickets were needed quickly to get us in the game, Danny obliged, getting the opener caught behind, but the other Rayleigh batters came at us hard and made life difficult. Danny grabbed a second, a catch skied to Joe at cover, but quickly he and Ryan were replaced by Tommy and Joe to try and gain a little control. Tommy went wicketless for the first time this year, although he can blame his captain for this one! Joe did grab himself a wicket, another grab behind by Timbles but Rayleigh's scoring was simply too quick. Jonny chanced a couple of overs to get the Rayleigh skipper caught and bowled at the second attempt, but shortly after the winning runs were knocked off in little over 20 overs.
A hard day, back to back away games coming and a win or two needed on the board before the half way point of the season.
