Rye Cricket Club Ist XI put in yet another professional performance on Saturday June 25, against second placed Glynde and Beddingham, to pick up their first away victory of the season.
Rye skipper Gary Willis won the toss and decided to bowl, given the inclement weather of the previous couple of days. Initially, this decision looked to have been the wrong one, as the wicket showed little pace and bounce, making it difficult to trouble the batsmen. Nonetheless, Willis did manage to create an opportunity to have Alex Thornhill caught at second slip, only for the ball to be dropped.
However, as had been the case in previous weeks, Rye took the decision to try to stem the flow of runs, in the absence of assistance from the wicket. This strategy appeared to pay dividends, as Craig Pierce dismissed opposing skipper Robert Mouland (24) with an excellent Yorker. Pierce, in partnership with George Watham, then started to turn the screw on the Glynde batting line up, as the run rate dropped to just over two runs per over.
Pierce (3 for 33), then removed Archie Burrows for a duck, to leave Glynde 51 for 2. What followed was a Glynde batting collapse. The pressure mounted by the Rye bowling attack started to take its toll, with scoreboard pressure building up on the inexperienced opposition batting line up. What was initially 51 for 2 eventually ended up being 99 all out from 44 overs.
George Watham was the main architect of the carnage, as he bowled with excellent control, to finish with outstanding figures of 4 wickets for 19 runs from 16 miserly overs. He was ably supported by Harry Smeed, who bowled nicely to finish with 3 wickets for 20 runs from his 10 overs. Rye also maintained excellent standards in the field, to support the bowlers in an excellent team effort. The focus on raising standards in fielding has certainly been a factor in the turnaround in fortunes in the last month or so. It just highlights the importance of fielding in winning games of cricket.
It was unlikely that 99 was ever going to be a challenge for the strong Rye batting card, and this looked to be the case, as James Hamilton raced to 15 runs inside the first two overs of the innings. However, once set, he played a poor shot for the second week in row, to leave Rye 18 runs for 1 wicket. Dan Seabrook (12) and Hugo Nel steadied the ship, before Seabrook fell to the bowling of George Hobden (1 for 22), to reduce Rye to 41 runs for 2 wickets. Nel was then joined by Fin Thomson who compiled a well-made 17, before falling to the bowling of Charlie Hobden (1 for 23).
Nonetheless, despite the wickets falling at the other end, Nel remained a constant in the run chase and showed his class to finish with 51 not out. He struck the winning runs in the 29th over, taking Rye over the line to secure a maximum 30 points.
Despite a slow start, Rye appear to be picking up momentum, having collected 104 points from a possible 120 in their last four games. They hope to have their fourth league win of the season against bottom of the table Hellingly, at the Salts on Saturday. They currently sit 9 points off top spot, so a win would go a long way to seeing them take pole position in the Sussex Premier Cricket League division 4.
Rye 2nd XI played 9 overs on Saturday, and were then washed away by two thunderstorms that left the Salts awash. The only activity of note was that Rye lost the toss again, making it 7 out of 8. Do not ask us for any lottery numbers.
This weekend is very busy, with Friday July 1 the Annual Bat & Trap Event, 6.30pm for a 7pm start, where Peter Farrow and his young guns, will be defending their title. On Saturday evening July 2, the club hosts a Race Night, with both events raising money for club funds.
On Saturday July 2, the 1st XI host Hellingly, whilst the 2nd XI travel to Hellingly. On Sunday July 3, Rye entertain Rye Old Scholars and on Monday July 4, the U11s entertain Mersham B. On Tuesday July 5, the U15s travel to play Ashford and next Friday July 8, the U17s host Great Chart.
Photo: Janet Tiltman