IT was a mixed bag for Rayleigh Cricket Club last weekend as their Saturday sides won three and lost three of their six matches.

In the T-Rippon Mid-Essex Premier Division, Rayleigh entertained Goresbrook who batted first and scored 219-9 in their 45 overs, Ian Bryant and Jim Ewing both taking 3-40.

Andy Impey (59) and Ben Francis (41) gave Rayleigh another good start and at 137-3 victory looked a distinct possibility, but in a mid-order collapse only Liam Druce (23 not out) troubled the bowlers and the side fell short by 21 runs after 43 overs.

In Division 2, the seconds travelled to Goresbrook seconds and finished on 141-9, Chris Frost (40), Steven Lynch (31) and Anish (21 not out) leading the scoring.

The home side knocked off the runs in 34.3 overs for the loss of four wickets, with Trevor Nunn taking 4-30.

In Division 5, the thirds went to Rochford to play high-flying Rankins and batting first scored 205-8, Sam Law (53), Steve Adams (43) and Adam Krise (41).

The home side passed this target for the loss of just two wickets in the 28th over.

In Division 7, Terling seconds were due to play Rayleigh fourths but they called off the game late on Friday afternoon because they were unable to raise a team.

In Division 10, the fifths entertained Bentley fourths and bowled them out for 88, Mihir Patel taking 4-26 and Paul Burgess 3-8.

Mark Stratton (36) led the reply and Rayleigh won with seven wickets to spare in the 24th over.

In Division 11, the sixths travelled to play South Woodham Ferrers thirds, who batted first and were bowled out for 90, Gary Bush taking 4-34, Freya Barnard 3-11 and Tom Godfrey 2-13.

But, despite the low target, Rayleigh struggled in difficult conditions and they collapsed to 16-5 at one stage.

However Toby Turner (26) and Gary Bush (15 not out) saw the visitors home with three wickets to spare.

The sevenths entertained a strong Chelmsford sixth side at Lake Meadows and invited them to bat with Chelmsford scoring 257-6 in their 40 overs.

This score seemed well out of reach for Rayleigh’s inexperienced team but Duncan Baldwin, playing his first game in four years, hit 53 not out and shared a fourth wicket stand of 91 with Jack Himpfen-Jones (37) to give the Rayleigh score a degree of respectability to finish on 136-6.

In the Under-15 SEDCB West League, Horndon-on-the-Hill batted first against Rayleigh Wyverns and scored 140-5, Andrew Moffat taking 3-31.

In reply the Wyverns scored 104-7, Toby Turner scoring 36 not out.