Rye’s hopes of promotion were dealt a significant blow on Saturday, as the team lost by 76 runs to Rottingdean away from home. Rottingdean were asked to bat first on a good pitch, as Rye felt the best chance of victory would come from chasing down a score.
The true nature of the pitch was made evident by an opening stand of 151 between Rafique Swinscoe and Mohammad Islam. Both players bedded in and dispatched the Rye attack to all parts of the ground; it was only the introduction of James Smeed (in his first 1st XI game) that stemmed the flow of runs. Smeed received reward for his discipline, as he picked up Swinscoe (47) caught behind.
Rye managed to stem the flow of runs via both Harry Smeed (2 for 85) and George Wathen (1 for 29), as between them, they managed to invoke a mini collapse from 173 for 1 to 176 for 4. However, opposition skipper George Ledden soon showed his experience, in partnership with Nick Wright (23 not out), as he played the role of senior partner, guiding Rottingdean to 251 for 5 declared with Ledden finishing 39 not out.
The Rye innings got off to a steady start, but at 20 for 0, Dan Seabrook was removed by Jonathan Smith for 11. Hugo Nel then came and went after a brisk 23, before being bowled by the aforementioned Smith and Rye felt that the innings was in the balance.
From numbers 4 to 11 thereafter, not one player managed double figures as Wathen, who ended up 80 not out, dominated the innings. Wathen lost partners at regular intervals despite his best efforts, as Rye were eventually bowled out for 175. Jonathan Smith (5 for 53) and George Ledden (4 for 67) were the pick of the Rottingdean attack as they picked up nine of the ten wickets to fall.
Rye 2nd XI entertained Rottingdean 2nds on Saturday at the Rye Cricket Salts. Rye made an unusual start to the afternoon by winning the toss and electing to bowl. Rye have suffered this season with regular availability of key players, but this has offered youngsters a taste of County League cricket and all have responded to the challenge. Against a much more experienced Rottingdean side, Rye contained them to 215-5 off 50 overs. Harry Rhys-Jones and Tom Gasson bowled well, and were supported by debutant Oscar Goodsell, who all made the batsmen work for runs. In the field, the team applied themselves and on a very good wicket effected 2 run outs. For Rottingdean, Andrews 46, Wright 65 not out and Shepherd 51 led the way. Rye’s response was very positive as Martin Blincow 37 and Martin Duffield put on 60 for the first wicket. But then batsmen came and went, often to self inflicted wounds, as bad bowling was struck into the hands of fielders or missed. Ross Pierce with 36 not out also contributed, but Rye were all out for 112.
Rye 3rd 223
St Peters 5th XI 202-9
Rye 3rd team travelled to Firle for their latest East Sussex Cricket League division 12 fixture. On winning the toss, St Peters 5th team elected to field first. Rye got off to an excellent start, as both Tim Morgan and Paul Payton looked to punish any wayward bowling in an opening partnership of 137, which finished with Morgan being caught off the bowling, Henry Hamon (1-36) having scored 96. Luke Payton then joined grandfather Paul in a partnership of 24, before the opener was trapped lbw by Harrison Ryder with 45 to his name. Luke Payton (19) fell shortly after to the bowling of Louis Wynne-Roberts (1-22). A partnership of 36 between John Josiah and James Jury (14) steadied the innings, before the latter was bowled by James Pitchford (1-56). Josiah (24) later fell victim to Harrison Ryder, who went on to finish with figures of 4-5 from 5 overs, as nine man Rye were dismissed for 223, with Callum Haddaway finishing on 10 not out. Evelyn Parle was the other St Peter’s wicket taker, finishing with figures of 1-57.
Rye got off to a good start after tea as Max Goodsell struck in his second over, Callum Haddaway soon after dismissed Noel Hamon (20) to claim figures of 1-40 as the home side were struggling at 33-2. Harry Corney looked to reduce the flow of wickets and along with Louis Wynne-Roberts increased the score, Mike Stoneham dismissed both as they scored 55 and 22 respectively, and Stoneham claimed figures of 2-69 from 16 overs. John Josiah claimed figures of 2-31 as wickets fell at more regular intervals and a win for Rye looked possible. The re-introduction of Goodsell saw the dismissal of both Henry Hamon (24) and James Pitchford (45) as he finished with figures of 4-44 from 13 overs. With two dropped catches in the final few overs, St Peters were able to settle for a draw on 202-9 with an excellent effort from the nine man Rye side.
This Saturday, Rye 1sts host table topping Slinfold, the 2nds travel to Crowhurst Park and the 3rds host Isfield at Icklesham. Next week, the U16s participate in the Sussex Junior Cricket Festival, travelling to Hailsham on Monday, hosting Hastings on Tuesday, and Bexhill on Thursday, then travelling to Buxted Park on Friday.