Rayleigh first XI rose to second place in Division One after a win by 63 runs against Writtle.

The first’s batted first, scoring 207 all out with Jason Ox top scoring with 49. Writtle replied with a score of 144, which was not good enough to top Rayleigh’s score, with the win putting them within nine points of top spot.

Rayleigh’s seconds, third and fourth XIs faired less well, with all three team’s matches ending in defeat.

The second’s travelled to Ingatestone to play their 2nd XI, who stepped up to bat first and amassed a score of 203-9, with Richard Abley taking 4-31.

Rayleigh mustered a steady reply but fell two short of the target set by their opponents, scoring 201-9, Phil Wolff (61) and John Stirk (36) leading the reply.

The third’s also fell short of the 170-9 target set by Burnham Sports second XI, only managing 130 all out, with only George Barker batting will with 35 runs.

The fourth’s played Eastwood third XI and scored 199-4, with Brad Walker as top scorer. Eastwood passed this total however, scoring 203-8, to secure a two-wicket win.

The fifth’s had slightly better fortune with a win by two wickets at home to Eastwood’s fourth XI.

Eastwood betted first and after a comfortable 67-0, they looked set for a mammoth score. But their batting fizzled out to a disappointing 94 all out, with Christian Humphries taking 4-9.

Rayleigh’s batting struggled again, but eventually managed to hit 95-8, with Phil Hammond scoring 26, to win with two wickets to spare.

Else where in the leagues, Canvey Island first XI visited Great Baddow in Division Two.

Failing to build on Jamie and Ross Casson’s opening runs of 56 and 27 respectively, Canvey’s offensive collapsed ending in 195-7.

The total was not enough to see off Baddow, who raced to 199-4 and a six-wicket victory.

Canvey’s second XI failed to build on their two wins in two record and were beaten at home by fellow strugglers South Weald in Division Seven.

Fine performances from Martin Robinson (96), Neil Casson (40) and Tom Hughes (27 not out) saw Canvey to 214-4, but South Weald reached the total with a score of 218-3, with 10 balls to spare despite the efforts from Gary Snowdon, taking 2-70 from 12 overs.

Rettendon rose to fourth in Division Two after a 196-run win over Springfield’s second XI.

Rettendon won the toss and batted first, amassing a total of 332-4, with a second century in as many games from Jon Roworth (155) and another high score from Mark Everitt (69).

Springfield never really got near the target set by the Chelmsford side, only managing 138 all out, with tight bowling from spinner Si Bryant (4 for 25 off 4) and Martin Everitt (3 for 25) rounding off a spectacular match for Rettendon.

Rayleigh Fairview fell to Little Waltham’s second XI, despite bagging their highest score for a number of years.

Fairview’s 292-4 was not good enough to beat Waltham, who rose to conquer the visiting side by three wickets with a score of 295-7.

With Fairview batting first, Lawson and skipper Keating had a good start, hitting 64 and 71, while Warren and Casey upped the tempo with a high-hitting 77 and 39 repectively.

Fairview started to field well, keeping the opposition’s score down to 40-3, but Waltham’s Coyle stepped up and hit a supurb 128 to bring the home side back into contention.

Hariram (53) and Ruffell (33) saw Waltham home by three wickets with nine balls to spare, in what was surely a dissapointing result for Fairview after a decent performance.