BEN GLADMAN REACHES 25 WICKETS IN RAYLEIGH THRILLER:

Belhus Sunday 2nd XI 280-3 (Aftab Mohamed 55 Dylan Sinfield 52 Louie Mailey 51)
Rayleigh 274 all out (Steven Lynch 100 James Balkwill 50):

Batting first, Belhus racked up a total of 280 for 3 from their allotted 40 overs thanks to half-centuries from Aftab Mohamed (55), Dylan Sinfield (52) and Louie Mailey (51).

Chasing 280 was always going to be a tough ask at 7 runs per over, but Rayleigh set about their tusk with gusto.  Opener Steve Lynch smashed a century from just 47 deliveries (including 5 sixes) and James Balkwill joined the show with a half-century from 38 deliveries.  After Tilly Barnett and Aariyan Kansagra took 2 wickets apiece and Ben Gladman took his 25th wicket of the season, it fell to George Church to wrap up proceedings by snapping up the last three wickets to secure a victory by just 6 runs with 1 ball remaining and Steven Lynch left undefeated on 100.

One of the great games of the season (so far). Thanks are due to both sides for producing such an enjoyable and entertaining afternoon.