Rye played host to Cuckfield 2nd team, in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera, looking for their 3rd win on the bounce.
Rye again lost the toss and were asked to field on a good-looking wicket. Rye got off to a perfect start as Dias (two for 24) bowled Morrisey in the first over then a partnership developed as Wisdom (53) and Gibbons (33) put together a partnership off 84 but the introduction of Wathen (six for 34) turned the game on its head as Cuckfield collapsed to 127 for eight and Cuckfield managed to forge a further 39 runs for the last two wickets to finish on a below-par 166 all out. The other wicket takers were Fin Thomson (one for 30) and Smeed (one for 34).
Rye managed to put together 27 for the first wicket before Dias was bowled for 12 but Wathen (22) and Hamilton (14) took the score along to 72. But when both fell in quick succession, Rye were stuttering at 77 for three. However, Smeed (33) and Fin Thomson (26) steadied the ship. When Smeed fell with the score at 140 for five, 27 were needed. Seabrook (17 not out) and Pete Thomson (14 not out) saw Rye home comfortably with four wickets left in hand. Rye travel to Glynde tomorrow (Saturday June 3) looking to make it four wins in a row and to keep the pressure on high-flyers Seaford at the top of the table.
A young-looking Rye 2nd XI travelled to Hellingly last Saturday. Ben Clifton has been a revelation as skipper, winning the toss three times out of four, which is almost as many times as achieved by a Rye 2nd XI skipper in two seasons. Rye opened up with the 17-year-old pairing of Tobias Farrow and James Smeed. Both bowled a great line and length, and immediately made inroads as Hellingly struggled to 17 for three in 14 overs. Ben Clifton and Nick Paine entered the attack, as Hellingly lost another wicket. Then there came a fightback as Helllingly moved to 40 for four, but Clifton (four for 13) and Paine (three for 6) dismissed the home team in dramatic fashion for 45. Rye’s response faltered as Jha fell for 7, but Spencer Fielding (28 not out) hit Rye to victory in just seven overs and Rye secured a second victory of the season.
Rye 3rd XI 210-9
Robertsbridge 3rd XI 161-9
Rye third team hosted Robertsbridge thirds for their latest league fixture and on losing the toss were asked to bat first.
Robertsbridge made an early break through before a second wicket partnership of 50 between Tim Morgan and Giles Manning (13) took the score to 67 before the latter was dismissed by Edward Flint (1-48). Jack Keen then joined Morgan with a third wicket stand of 53 before the latter was bowled by Allan Hughes having scored 60, another wicket in the same over reduced Rye to 120 for four as Hughes went on to finish with figures of three for 39. Jack Keen batted maturely as he went on to score 68,taking Rye to 181 for six before he fell victim to Callum Nice. Nice went on to take a further three wickets including John Josiah (20) to finish with figures of five for 48 as Rye finished their allotted overs with a score of 210-9.
Spencer Sharkey took an early wicket, bowling Kevin Burgess for 14. Jeremy Knott and Jake Saxton then looked to increase the Robertsbridge score towards the target, the introduction of Jack Keen (one for 20) saw the dismissal of Saxton for 23. Mike Stoneham then looked to make inroads in to the opposition batting line-up claiming figures of three for 52. Rowan Sharkey bowled Matt Neeve (16) to finish with figures of one for 10. The re-introduction of Spencer Sharkey saw the dismissal of Knott for 78 as he finished with bowling figure of two for 28. Rye were unable to take the final wicket as Robertsbridge finished on 161 from their allotted overs. The other Rye wicket taker was James Jury (two for 6).
This Saturday the 1st XI travel to Glynde, whilst the 2nd XI host Glynde IIs in a match sponsored by The Mermaid Inn. The 3rd XI are without a fixture as opponents Gildredge have withdrawn from the league.
Last Friday, Rye’s coaching programme welcomed the new ECB promoted All Stars programme. Fifteen five-to-eight-year-olds joined Rye’s existing coaching programme. There were upwards of 60 young people working with six coaches over two hours on the Rye Cricket Salts. There are still places on the Rye coaching programme, please contact Martin Blincow on blincsfamily@aol.com for more information.
Martin Blincow