The first weekend of the league season was successful as Rye 1st Xl defeated local rivals Bexhill 1st Xl in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera. The morning of heavy rain saw the covers protect the wicket, and then an hour of the super sopper removed gallons of rainwater – and there was a delayed start at 1:30pm.
Rye won the toss and soon were dismantling the Bexhill innings. The opening pair of Craig Pierce (3-6) and Tobias Farrow (2-10) reduced Bexhill to 10-5. James Smeed (3-13) then added to Bexhill’s woes. Resistance finally came from Eddie Lemon (35) and Dominic Carey (22), and Reuben Collingwood (2-35) saw Bexhill dismissed for 84.
Rye’s response was equally challenging. Batsmen got in and then got out as the green wicket still offered something to the accurate bowler. Rye reached 76-4 when Dan Seabrook (18) and Freddie Smith (19) fell. Alarm bells rang and Rye slumped to 84-7, but Rye squeezed home by 3 wickets and secured a maximum of 30 points.
This Saturday Rye 1st Xl travel to Seaford hoping to maintain their momentum. The 2nd Xl on Saturday play host to Pevensey 1st Xl at the Salts in a match sponsored by the Mermaid Inn.
Rye 2nds will be looking for a victory after a defeat in their opening match to Pett 1st Xl. Rye 2nds scored 197-7 off 40 overs. John Mackenzie (63) and Ben Clifton (59) played well, but Rye never fully took advantage of the small boundary as Gary Chatham (4-31) proved the most successful of the Pett bowlers.
Pett eased past the Rye total on 199-6 off 31 overs. Ben Harris (39) got Pett off to a positive start, which was continued through Luke Crisford (65 not out). It was the first outing for Rye and the bowlers failed to bowl consistent lines and length and were punished on the small boundary – Callum Haddaway (2-27) the most successful of the Rye bowlers.
The previous Friday evening saw Rye commence its softball courses, All Stars 5-8 year olds and Cricket Dynamos 9-11 year olds. These are national programmes, run by Rye’s coaching system, and on Friday 40 young people enjoyed an evening of fun, hitting, bowling and catching and laughing.
The programmes continue this Friday, and to join in the fun you can sign up girls and boys through https://ecb.clubspark.uk/AllStars. Hardball coaching continues next Tuesday for the juniors 6pm-8pm. The under 13s start their season next Thursday away to Egerton, 6pm start. We still have space for young boys and girls to join in. Contact Martin Blincow at blincsfamily@aol.com.
Image Credits: M.Blincow .