Rye hosted Preston Nomads on another wet and windy day at the Salts, in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera.
It was a game that saw the covers come on and off on at least four occasions but due to a wonderful bowling display from Rye a result was concluded.
Rye skipper Harry Smeed lost the toss and Rye were asked to bowl, which seemed an odd choice considering the rain that had fallen and with more forecast. Rye got off to a perfect start with Altaf Ahmed striking in the first over to remove Abdul Shafi who was fresh from a hundred in the previous week, but what followed can only be described as carnage, with Concepts man of the match Tobias Farrow (3-21) joining in with the wicket taking. Between Farrow and Ahmed (4-21) they had reduced the host to 9-5. It was something quite extraordinary. The introduction of Pierce brought about another wicket, and with both Harry and James Smeed picking up a wicket each, Preston Nomads where all out for a below-par 75 the only resistance coming from O’Brein who scored 22.
Rye knew the game was there for the taking but as always when chasing low scores it can throw up a collapse. A decent start reached 15 without loss, but on cue the spinners were introduced who both bowled superbly well reducing Rye to 22-4, this sent nerves flying around the batting group but Harry Smeed and Luke Payton steadied the ship. But when Luke Payton was caught for 10, Nomads still had a chance at 40-5, but Ahmed 6 not out and Smeed 21 not out, steered the side home to complete a five-wicket win.
Rye 2nds made the long journey to play St Peters 2nds, and enjoyed a thrilling game of cricket, with contributions from all 11 players. St Peters won the toss, choosing to bat, and Rye made early inroads thanks to the returning Billy Blackford (2-23),taking 2 wickets in 2 balls. A tight opening spell but with no luck by Spencer Sharkey and Gary Willis with 2-53 which had St Peters wobbling at 65-4.
However the weather then intervened. A very heavy shower and the ball became the proverbial ball of soap. Martin Blincow kept things tight with 0-25 off 8 overs, but runs were now leaking. Richard Tongue (73) and Harry Craker shared a 130-run stand. St Peters threatened to run away, but Mark Cook with 4-37 at the death put a brake on the progress of the innings as St Peters reached tea on 236-8 off 40 overs.
Rye 2nds lost Rowan Sharkey early on to a wonderful one-handed catch, but then John Mackenzie (67) and Mark Cook (56) built a positive reply. Rye then too benefited from a heavy shower. Momentum now was with Rye, and although Mackenzie fell, Scott Balcomb took up the challenge. He struck five mighty sixes and Rye were in the hunt. Balcomb fell to a catch on the boundary when Rye needed 30 more with 4 overs left. 16-year-old Freddie Mackenzie, 16 not out, took up his bat and took control. With good positive strokes, Rye needed 2 to tie off the last ball. The Rye pair scrambled the 2 vital runs, Rye were 236-7, and the game was tied.
Sidley 2nd 38
Rye 3rd 39-3
Rye third team travelled to play Sidley seconds for their first league game of the 2019 season in Division 12 East (South) on a day that would be spent fitting the game around rain showers.
Sidley won the toss and elected to bat first, Jack Keen soon made inroads into the Sidley batting order with his first wicket being that of Trevor Stanley (10) as his hat fell on to the stumps. Stanley was the only Sidley batsman to reach double figures as wickets fell regularly in an innings that lasted just under 20 overs. Jack Keen finished with figures of 4-4 from 7 overs. Alex Stone 1-5 from 5 overs and Cieran Sellwood 1-10 from 2 overs, each claimed a wicket.
The innings was finished with Toby Channon recording a double wicket maiden for his only over as David Jemspon (1-1) claimed the final wicket with his fourth ball. The Rye bowlers top scored with 13 extras.
Rye lost three quick wickets at the start of their innings with James Mott claiming figures of 2-17 from 6 overs and Trevor Stanley finished with 1-14 off 6 overs. However, brothers George and David Jempson saw Rye to victory scoring 12 not out and 14 not out respectively as the target was reached in 13 overs.
This Saturday the 1st XI are hosting Brighton & Hove 2nd XI in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera, the 2nds travel to play Crowhurst Park 2nds and the 3rd XI travel to play Crowhurst Park 4th XI.
This Friday Rye is hosting a Quiz Evening at the pavilion at 7:30pm. Teams of up to six, £10 entry per team. The BBQ will be fired up for the first time this season. The Salts will be busy tonight, with Softball Coaching for 5-9 year olds from 6pm-7pm and Adult Nets 6pm-7:30pm.
Next week the Under 11s host Ashford Town on Monday, the U15s host Egerton on Tuesday and the U13s host Boughton on Thursday. Colts hardball practice continues on Wednesday night. To get your son or daughter involved please contact Martin Blincow on blincsfamily@aol.com.
Image Credits: Rye Cricket Club .