IT was a disappointing weekend for Rayleigh Cricket Club as just one of their six Saturday League sides came away with victory.

In a rearranged Premier League fixture last year’s champions Bentley firsts were the visitors to the Rayleigh’s top dogs.

Rayleigh batted first and were bowled out for 125, with only Ben Francis (42) putting up any real resistance to accurate bowling. The visitors passed this target for the loss of five wickets, with Jim Ewing taking 3-22.

In division two, the second XI travelled to Writtle firsts who batted first and totalled 239-7, Trevor Nunn taking 3-54. Rayleigh struggled in response and were bowled out for 188, with Sam Law top scoring with 67 not out.

In division five, the third XI were away at Marconi who batted first and scored another hefty total with 280-4. In reply Rayleigh were bowled out for just 93, as Darren Smith ended on 26.

The fourth XI hosted Wickham firsts in division seven and posted 222 all out, with Dan Frost (67), Phil Wolff (50) and William Wheeler (26) leading the scoring.

Yet Wickham passed this score for the loss of four wickets with two overs to spare.

The fifth XI secured the only win of the weekend when they hosted Rainham thirds.

Batting first Rainham totalled 184-8, Jobin taking 3-38 and Jamie Coleman 2-36. But, in a tight finish, Mark Stratton (105 not out) steered the home side home with five wickets left and one over to spare.

In division 11, the sixth XI travelled to Margaretting to play Galleywood thirds, with the hosts making 210-5 in their 40 overs.

And their bowling and catching proved too good for a very young Rayleigh team who were eventually all out for 78.

In the Beaumont Seymour Ladies League, league newcomers Hutton were the visitors to the Women and Girls XI and, batting first, totalled 99-6 in their 20 overs.

Rebecca Holyoak (28) and Louise Harmsworth (25) gave Rayleigh a good start but after they both retired the run rate increased and defeat looked a real possibility.

But some good hitting by Louise Kirby and Elisha Brett saw the home side to victory with one ball left in an excellent game played in a good spirit.

In the Under-13 Bradford Cup third round Rayleigh Eagles scored 140-4 off their 20 overs having batted first, with Alex Hernandez (33 retired), Matt Bumpus (30 retired) and Ross Ford (23) leading the scoring.

In reply Hadleigh & Thundersley U13s scored 115-5, with the wickets shared around.

As for the youth leagues, Rayleigh Wyverns 96-5 (Matt Bumpus 20 not out) were beaten by 32 runs by Belhus 128-4, in the Under-15 West League.

In the Under-13 West League Rayleigh Wyverns (26-10) were easily beaten by Basildon 27-0 and in the Under-11 East League Rayleigh (287-5 net 262) beat Rayleigh Fairview (274-6 net 244) by 18 runs.