Batting first under blue skies for the first time in weeks, it didn't take long for matters to take their usual course. The scoring was painfully slow and the top order folded. Ames, Nigel, Jamie and Grompton all went for single figure scores, fortunately Keating played well to keep the innings together, making a well crafted if not fortunate 69 (dropped three times lucky boy!) and we finally stuttered to 137 all out in 43.3 overs handing Havering an over they were never in real danger of needing.
Spenney unfortunately was the only bowler to have any success, striking three times, although his LBW was a tad lucky. The rest of the bowlers toiled hard but Havering cruised home by 7 wickets.
The 2s blew open the promotion race in Division 6 with a fine win over leaders St Johns Billericay 1s following last weeks win at home to second placed Rayleigh 3s. With Aythorpe Roding 2s beating Danbury 1s any 2 of the top 5 could now feature at the top end of the table come the end of August. Fairview batted first and lost Jellett early doors. Graeme Webster (39) and Callum (47) laid the platform for the innings, then the returning Matt Smith (49) and Richard Skinner (41) paved the way for Wayward Hayward and Big Ash Faires to hit some lusty blows, taking the 2s to 260 all out.
Rich Skinner again opened the bowling and accounted for St John's skipper while Big Ash Faires also collected a wicket in a good opening salvo. Dot Ball Dave Ashby collected best figures for the 2s with 4-54 in a fine 11 over spell that swung the game firmly in the 2s favour. Matt Smith's good day continued as he collected his first scalp of the season. Wayward Hayward (3-20) then mopped up the tail as St Johns ended 34 short on 226.
The 3s slipped into the drop zone in Division 9 as they lost again despite having reasonably strong team. Navestock batted first and it was a tough ask for the young bowling attack but they battled hard as the hosts scored 247-5. James Hedges was impressive with 2-48 and the occasional (and that's being polite) Mr Chips 2-57. Father and son also did well as George Nichols featured in the wicket column, with the proud Father taking a smart catch. There was a less fortunate father and son incident whilst batting though as some shocking calling from Dave Webster (yes that one!) ran out his son Paul before later being run out himself, and I dare say a few words were exchanged!
Results 26/03/2013
RFCC 1st XI 137-10 (1pt) lost to Havering Atte-Bower CC 1st XI 142-3 (23pts) by 7 wickets
St Johns Billericay 1st XI 226-10 (9pts) lost to RFCC 2nd XI 260-10 (26pts) by 34 runs
Navestock Ardleigh Green CC 2nd XI 247-5 (25pts) beat RFCC 3rd XI 167-10 (3pts) by 80 runs.
27/06/2013
Leigh on Sea Sunday XI v RF CC Sunday XI - cancelled.
Fixtures 06/07/2013
RFCC 1st XI v Bentley CC 2nd XI
Aythorpe Roding 2nd XI v RFCC 2nd XI
Canvey Island CC 2nd XI V RFCC 3rd XI
07/07/2013
RFCC Sunday XI v Rettendon CC Sunday XI
* The views expressed within this blog are expressly my own and are not in anyway attributable to Rayleigh Fairview Cricket Club or any person connected to it in any way.
