Rye 1st XI v Brighton and Hove 2nd XI
Rye travelled to Brighton and Hove 2nds, looking for a first away win of the season. On arrival it was discovered water had seeped under the covers, enforcing a delayed start. Rye captain Harry Smeed won the toss and chose to bat on a wet looking surface, it was a brave decision but with Rye’s inability to sometimes deal with the pressure of chasing, it was enterprising.
Rye got off to an awful start being reduced to 9-2 with Harry Smeed and James Hamilton both out to difficult deliveries on a varied pitch. But partnerships all the way down the order with George Wathen scoring 30, Dan Seabrook looking back in form with 33 and Mickey Toomey (32) pushed the score up to 142-6, some great late order runs from Tobias Farrow (26) and Ben Clifton (16*) pushed it up to a very competitive score of 195-7.
Rye knew if they put the ball in the right area and fielded well it would be a very difficult chase. A good start had James Smeed (1-20) and Altaf Ahmed (2-14) reducing Brighton to 18-2, and the introduction of spin completely changed the game as Rye Concepts MOM Martin Blincow continued his fine form in the first team this year, claiming figures of 4-38, alongside Harry Smeed (1-31) taking wickets at regular intervals and completely freezing the scoring rate. Wathen (1-15) was introduced and the game was over as Rye had bowled Brighton and Hove out for 138 and claimed a first away victory of the year and a thoroughly convincing one at that. They now sit fourth in Division 3 East.
Rye 2nd XI v Crowhurst Park 2nd XI
Rye 2nds entertained Crowhurst Park 2nds in a match sponsored by The Mermaid Inn. It was a match that had been saved from the previous night’s torrential rain by covers and hard work of the team, turning up early to make the ground ready for play. Skipper Ellis Hatter, fresh from his overnight fire duties, won the toss and invited Crowhurst Park to bat. From that point Rye 2nds were dominant. Opening pair, Spencer Sharkey (3-19) and Craig Pierce (1-10) removed the top order. Then the support bowlers carried on the good work as John Mackenzie picked up 3-17, Sam Cooper 2-22, and Jack Keen 1-28. Crowhurst Park were dismissed for 125 in 39.5 overs.
Rye’s reply stuttered at 35-2, but then Pierce (53*), and Spencer Fielding (25) took the score to 105-3, and a flurry of 13 not out by Matt Page, saw victory by 7 wickets. Rye sit 8th in Divsion 6 East, but only one win from 3rd place in a tight division. Rye have also suffered 2 washouts, more than any other team.
It turned out to be a hat trick of victories. Rye Thirds won as Crowhurst Park 4ths conceded, unable to raise a team.. The young Third team now sit in 3rd position in Division 12 East.
This Saturday Rye 1sts host Bexhill 1sts, who lie 2nd in the division, in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera, the 2nds travel to Laughton 1st XI, and the 3rds travel to play Eastbourne 4th XI.
The Rye U11s continued their run of fine form as they recorded victories over Egerton and Mersham B, as they now sit in 2nd position in the League, with one game to go. The U18s embark next week on the Sussex Junior Cricket Festival, with Tuesday travelling to Steyning, at home to Burgess Hill on Wednesday, Lingfield on Thursday, and finishing the week away to Eastbourne.
Image Credits: Rye Cricket Club .