Often in a marathon, the last few yards are the hardest, and last Saturday the final seven points to secure a play-off spot were hard-won in match 17 of 18. Crawley Eagles have been a bogey side for Rye, and the 4th placed team proved yet again difficult opponents. Rye won the toss and elected to bat. Rye made slow progress, with top run-scorer Dan Stickels absent the run rate never ticked up and wickets were lost consistently. Only Tobias Farrow 28 and Dan Seabrook 33 made a dent in the Crawley Eagles bowling. Rye were eventually all out for 156 in the 44th over. Anjum Zafer with 3-22 the pick of the Eagles’ bowlers.
Crawley Eagles equally struggled to score runs. Rye reduced them to 7-2 but Crawley recovered to 64-3 and then suffered a series of dismissals as four Crawley batsmen made it into the twenties. At 114-6 the match was finely balanced, but Crawley made it across the winning line, 7 wickets down, with 7 balls to spare. Tobias Farrow 2-17 off 9 overs the pick of the Rye bowlers.
Those crucial seven points mean Rye are now in the play-off match to play in division 2 of the Sussex county league. Over in division 3 west, it is a tight finish, and going into the final week of the season, Rye’s opponents will be either West Chiltington or Findon, on neutral ground on Saturday, September 11.
This Saturday, Rye travel to Portslade to complete their regular league season.
Rye 2nds on Saturday fielded a team of eight under 19s and three seasoned campaigners against Battle 1sts. Rye won the toss and decided to bat. John Mackenzie carried his bat through the 40 overs, scoring 67 not out, with support from Harry Rhys Jones 24, Freddie Mackenzie 25 and Martin Blincow 25 not out, as Rye 2nds reached 192-7. However, on the postage stamp ground that is George Meadow, it was never going to be enough. It proved to be so as Battle 1sts raced past the target in 26 overs. Guy Ballard hit 82 and Jo Carthew 65 not out.
This Saturday Rye 2nds host Heathfield Park 1sts at the Salts.
Rye Thirds lost to Bexhill 4ths, who fielded a very experienced side. Bexhill scored 210-6 off 40 overs, Adam Lawson 72 and Jeremy Wassell 33, and Richard Matthews 26 leading the way. The youngsters made sound contributions, 14-year-old Joseph Kemsley took 2-38 and David Jempson 0-29 off 8 overs and experienced Alex Stone 2-33. In reply, Rye batted through their 40 overs to reach 102-7. David Jempson contributed 35 and 13-year-old James Archer finished on 14 not out. This Saturday, Rye Thirds host Westfield 2nds at Icklesham.
Image Credits: Martin Blincow .