Rye 1sts travelled to Ansty on Saturday with thunderstorms threatening, and arriving at the ground it seemed closer to night than day as the clouds rolled through. Rye skipper Harry Smeed importantly won the toss and invited Ansty to bat. The game started on time and Rye began the stronger, as opening bowlers Craig Pierce bowled 8 overs 1-7 and Tobias Farrow 2-34 off 8 overs, dented the Ansty innings and restricted the run rate.
Rain interrupted proceedings, which meant the game was reduced to 40 overs a side. On the re-set Rye continued to bowl well, and Ansty never achieved any momentum. Tommy Green, 51 not out off 87 balls and Tommy Rusling, 29 offered the only real threat. Harry Smeed 2-34 and Chanuks Dilshan 0-16 off 8 overs ensured Ansty only reached 142-6 off 40 overs.
Rye soon set to work on achieving the target. Harry Smeed kept his recent good form with the bat scoring 80. He was supported by James Hamilton, 33 as Rye eased past the target 4 wickets down in the 29th over. The victory was even more important as Rye, in 3rd place, saw the two teams above them both lose unexpectedly. Rye are now just one point behind second placed Rottingdean.
This Saturday, Rye host Cuckfield 2nd XI at The Rye Cricket Salts in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera.
The 2nds after two successive victories over 2nd and 3rd place teams, found themselves with a team on Saturday missing six players from the previous week. The missing experience was reflected in the performance. Eastbourne 3rds scored 198-9. A score that should have been much lower but for dropped catches.
Ben Clifton 3-30 and Blake Rouse 2-39 did the damage. Rye’s reply was equally poor as only Mark Cook 63 not out and Paul Hitchcott 33 contributed with the bat as Rye were dismissed for 128. Rye will hope to extinguish the inconsistency and get back to winning ways this Saturday as they travel to play Firle 1sts.
The 3rd XI arrived at Ark Alexandra on Saturday to play free scoring league leaders Bexhill Strikers who have been scoring over 300 on a regular basis. At tea, Rye had dismissed the Strikers for 115 in just 29 overs. Neil Archer 4-18, Nathan Paine 22-39 and Alex Stone 2-16. However, tea was tinged with trepidation as they knew they had to bat on the wicket against much quicker bowling. So their fears were realised, as they were dismissed for 14 off 19 overs. Numerous players were struck, including junior players on the helmet, from good length balls, as one bowler took 7-4 in 9 overs. The previous week an opposition were dismissed for 34.
This week the 3rds return to the calm of Icklesham where they will host Crowhurst Park 4ths.
Image Credits: Rye Cricket Club .