Rayleigh needed just one point from their final match on Thursday (26th April 2012) to be certain of the title, this was achieved when, batting first, the first bonus point was attained when their score reached fifty.  For the record, Rayleigh went on to score 105 for the loss of three wickets and they subsequently dismissed their opponents, Benfleet “B”, by 64 runs in the event sponsored by Thurrock Sports Council.

Meanwhile, the U16 tournament for our western area saw the two remaining undefeated teams, Belhus and Horndon on the Hill, produce an incredible low scoring finale on Friday (27th April 2012).  Belhus looked buried by a determined Horndon bowling and fielding performance which saw Belhus succumb to 48 all out but then Horndon were dismissed for 41 in reply.   Match details and final league tables are available via the indoor cricket links on the right of this web page.

Meanwhile, on Friday 23rd March, the club held a highly successful memorabilia evening (pictured, left).  The clubhouse was full with past and current members who were able to review past scorebooks, press cuttings, photographs and other records, as well as being able to reminisce about the club and its cricket.   Ron Yardley, the club’s President, was among those present.  Chairman Robert Pearn welcomed all those present and thanked all members for their work, especially John Hicks who has taken the lead organising role for the anniversary celebrations.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS: Friday 20th April at Basildon Crematorium at 10.40am, Church Road, Bowers Gifford, Basildon, SS13 2HG.  Family flowers only. The family would like to help repay the wonderful treatment Brian received at Fair Havens Hospice. Donations can be sent to them direct under Brian’s name to: Fair Havens Hospice, 126 Chalkwell Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 8HN.  Alternatively the funeral directors (The Co-operative Funeral Care, 16, Furtherwick Road, Canvey Island, SS8 7AE) will collate donations and will collect them on the day.

The Management Committee of the South Essex District Cricket Board would like to thank our respective  competition organisers, namely David Webster and Geoff Lake for keeping the administration of the tournaments in hand, as well as the Southend branch of the ECB Officials’ Association, for appointing volunteer officials to the competition at the Chase Sports and Fitness Centre.

Stanford’s reverse came at the hands of an excellent performance from Horndon on the Hill.  The Hope were dismissed for 52, but it could have been much worse had it not been for a defiant knock of 25 from Callum McCarthy.  Luke Smith and Daniel Petts were destructive with the ball for Horndon as they returned figures of 3-6 and 2-9 respectively.   Petts then continued to turn the screw still further with a fine undefeated 23 while Sam Jeyes was also unbeaten, scoring 22.   For full details of the competition, see the U14 indoor page from the menu on the right.

Notes taken from this meeting can be viewed by clicking here Annual Meeting Minutes

For a full copy of the 2012 league fixtures, please click here 2012 League Fixture Print

Philip Jones, Wickford’s team manager said: “Our achievement represents a fantastic effort from all the players, particularly as only seven juniors were used during the whole  season, none of whom, at present, play for the district or the County at youth level. It would be unfair for me to single out any particular players as everyone who played contributed enormously to our success.

“Every week, when needed, players stepped up to the plate and produced with batting, bowling and fielding.  What is also pleasing is that this was usually a different player every week which represents a real team effort.  Ably led by the captain Jack McCarthy, we played good competitive, effective cricket but also played it in the right spirit, which is  how the game should be played and I think represents the fantastic effort from the coaching set up at Wickford and certainly bodes well for the future of the club. I would like to mention the effort and support from Dave Maher, Jerry McCarthy and Craig Sloane who helped out as and when needed very effectively and would also like to thank Nikki Spicer for all her efforts in running the competition. We look forward to the challenge of defending our title in 2013.”

An unusual feature of the competition was that three games were tied – and they all involved Rayleigh CC.  For full details of the competition click on the “2011-12 Youth Indoor U16 – Leigh” menu option on the right of this website.  A further U16 competition will be staged for clubs in the Thurrock area at Grays School, commencing in March.