Rye welcomed the MCC to the Rye Cricket Salts for their bi-annual fixture. The doom and gloom of the weather forecast was forgotten as the sun soon shone, and remained so for most of the day. Rye won the toss and invited the MCC to bat first, as the match began at 11:30am. The Rye opening attack of Sandun Dias and Craig Pierce soon removed both openers with a wicket apiece. MCC then continued until lunch as Fred Wilson (75) and Alex Campbell (26) saw them through to 120 for three by the break. After lunch, for 50 players and MCC guests, the play continued, with Rye continually taking wickets and constraining the runs with 8 players getting into the attack. Leading the bowlers was Tom Nunn who removed the middle order with figures of four for 22. The MCC were dismissed for 185 in the 50th over.
Rye’s reply wobbled at 22 for two, but Dias (73) and Harry Smeed (48) shared a 93-run partnership, which saw Rye reach the final 20 overs requiring 83 for victory. Despite a succession of wickets Rye continued on their way and it was left to Nunn (5 not out) and Tobias Farrow (7 not out) to see Rye to a much-prized victory over the MCC.
Thanks are due to the many club members who contributed to the success of the day, both on and off the field, catering for lunch, tea and supper, and thanks, too, to the sponsorship of Peter Farrow.
Martin Blincow