Rye 1st XI 228 – 5
Buxted Park 1st XI 133 – 8
Leaders Rye Cricket Club hosted second-placed Buxted Park in a top-of-the-table clash sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera. Rye captain Harry Smeed lost the toss and was asked to bowl.
Rye openers James Hamilton (44), and Fin Thomson (6), put on 26 for the opening wicket. This brought George Wathen (37), to the crease who, along with Hamilton, took the score along to 89-2. This brought Rye Concepts Man of the Match Smeed to the crease, who smashed his way to a magnificent 100 along with Seabrook (20*) to put Rye in a strong position at 228-5 declared. Rye knew they had set a difficult target and it now was just all about taking 10 wickets.
Rye got off to a perfect start with two quick wickets taken by Reece to leave Buxted 27-2. Then Harry Smeed (3-37), was introduced, who ripped through the middle order to leave Buxted 93-5. Buxted Park’s overseas player Colaco compiled a well-made 60 until he was brilliantly run out by Ollie Rhys Jones and Rye felt that the winning line was in sight at 128-7. Then Reece was reintroduced and he picked up a wicket first ball to leave Buxted 133-8. Rye for 8 overs threw everything at Buxted for the final two wickets but could not manage it so the game ended in a draw, but Rye increased their lead at the top of the table and remain unbeaten.
Tunbridge Wells Borderers 2nd XI 196 – 7
Rye 2nd XI 171
With Captain Clifton winning the toss for the 6th time in a row, Rye took to the field first in search of their first win of the season against Tunbridge Wells Borderers. Rye made an early break through thanks to Spencer Sharkey (2-61). With steady wickets falling, Rye looked on course to restrict Tunbridge Wells borderers to under 200, as they had them 90-6, from tight bowling from Captain Ben Clifton (3-44) and Ross Pierce (1-10). However, Borderers struck out and Chris Greene with a belligerent 84, allowed TWB to declare on 196-7.
After the break Rye lost 2 early wickets. But again up stepped 15-year-old Luke Payton with a magnificent 82 to keep Rye in the hunt whilst wickets were falling around him. With Rye needing 35 from the last 5 overs, the win was on, but with only 2 wickets in hand it was set to be a tense finish. With Ross and Craig Pierce at the crease, Rye looked steady to see this over the line. But when Craig was caught behind and Spencer Sharkey bowled with the very next ball Ross was left stranded on 15 not out and Rye all out for 171.
This Saturday Rye 1sts travel to Mayfield 2nds and Rye seconds entertain Laughton 1st XI, with a 1:30pm start, sponsored by The Mermaid Inn.
The Colts continue their fine start to the season. The Under 11s defeated Wye by 55 runs, Sam Channon (16), top scoring as Rye scored 109. They then restricted Wye to 55, with all the bowlers doing well, Both Digby Dinning and Ashley Bull took 2 wickets in 2 balls.
The U15s hit 240-3 off 20 overs against Egerton away. Luke Payton, Freddie Mackenzie and Ewan Fricker hit undefeated 50s. In reply Egerton finished on 130-9. Freddie Mackenzie, 3-6, Elise Jorgensen 2-9, as all 10 outfield bowlers bowled 2 overs.
Next week the Under 11s travel to Ashford Town on Monday, the U15s and 13s have a free week.
Photo: Martin Blincow