Last Saturday Rye Cricket Club registered a hat trick of league victories, for the second time in the 2019 season.
Rye 1st XI v Rottingdean 1st XI
Rye travelled to Rottingdean looking to keep their push for third place in Divsion 3 East, of the Sussex County League. Captain Harry Smeed won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket that looked as if it would be slow and deteriorate throughout the day. Rye forged a slow and watchful opening partnership which proved to be vital in setting a good score, Hamilton (24) and Smeed got off to the perfect start putting on 65 for the first wicket.
Rye then lost Wathen quickly after the wicket of Hamilton, but Rye Concepts MOM Harry Smeed who batted patiently throughout made a good 69 and he managed to put another 50-plus partnership together with 16-year-old Luke Payton (28). Rye made small contributions throughout down the order to post a very competitive 193-9.
Rye got off to a strong start with the ball with Altaf Ahmed blowing away the top four to claim great figures off 4-31. He was well supported by James Smeed who took figures of 1-18. This left Rottingdean 76-5 with no batsmen getting going, the only resistance came from Eric Swann-Ward who made 47 but when Martin Blincow was introduced the game was over in a flash, carrying on his remarkable run of form and claiming another 5-wicket haul with figures of 5-36. Rottingdean were bundled out for 133 and this gave Rye another great victory. Rye host Seaford this weekend, sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera, in a clash that could decide the team to finish third.
Rye 2nd XI v Pevensey 1st XI
Rye 2nds hosted Pevensey 1sts in a match sponsored by The Mermaid Inn. Despite the dry spell, a fault on the irrigation system had freshened up the wicket. Pevensey won the toss and invited Rye to bat. A positive start was made as Rowan Sharkey (28), John Mackenzie (23) and Craig Pierce (31) ensured a solid base was built to the innings. This set up Scott Balcomb (67) and Joe Briley to drive Rye to 217-7 off 40 overs.
Pevensey came out of the traps flying as Glennico King (58) and David Beck (37) took Pevensey quickly to 100-1 and in the driving seat. Mackenzie removed King, and then 18-year-old paceman Callum Haddaway with a burst of 4-19 in 7 overs removed the heart of the Pevensey innings. He was supported by 18-year-old Harry Rhys Jones who with 3-31 saw Pevensey subside to 171 all out. Rye 2nds have won three in a row and have started moving up the league. This Saturday they travel to play Firle 1st XI.
Rye 3rd XI v Pett 2nd XI
Rye third team hosted Pett seconds for their latest league fixture at Northiam due to Icklesham being used for the village fete. On winning the toss the visitors elected to bat first.
Freddie Mackenzie (1-15) made the early break through for Rye with the score at 7-1, and fellow opener George Jempson (0-12 from 5 overs) bowling a tight spell without reward. A second-wicket partnership of 61 steadied the innings before Thiru Ganesan (24) was dismissed by Seb Cameron-Clarke, Cameron-Clarke then claimed the wicket of Elliot Upton (15), with Pett on 95/3, to finish with figures of 2-16.
Wickets then fell at more regular intervals as Mike Stoneham struck regularly including two wickets from two balls. Kes Mayatt was the only other batsman to provide resistance, scoring a quick 15 before he fell victim to the bowling of Stoneham, who went on to finish with figures of 5-34 and in his next game will start on a hat trick. Henry Ware batted sensibly to finish on 35 not out having come to the crease at the fall of the first wicket. Ross Pierce (1-2) was the other Rye wicket taker.
In reply, Rye got off to a steady start with an opening stand of 47 before Paul Payton was bowled in the first over from Upton (1-31) having scored 24. A second wicket partnership of 64 saw Rye within touching distance of the required total before Scott Haiselden was caught off the bowling of Mayatt (1-15) having scored 34. Freddie Mackenzie finished on 48 not out as he punished any wayward bowling, including four sixes. Ross Pierce hit the winning runs to finish on 5 not out in the 21st over.
Rye 3rds have now gone fourth in their league and within touching distance of promotion, after winning four games in a row.. A great effort from a team of players mainly under 16 years of age.
Image Credits: Rye Cricket Club .