The final match last Saturday (September 6) saw the Rye 1st XI end the season on a low note against already relegated Lewes Priory, as they slipped to a 10-wicket defeat – the product of a long season and relaxing after securing County League status for 2015, which was always the main aim.
The details were Rye dismissed for 89 in 30 0vers. For Rye, Neil Browne 23 , Spencer Fielding 24 and Craig Pierce 17 offered some resistance, but Jeremy Bates 6-48 and Wade and De Belder with two wickets apiece made the most of a green, under-prepared wicket. Lewes cruised past the target in 20 overs as Bates hit 60 not out and was supported by Lee’s 27.
The Rye 2nd XI completed their season with an emphatic seven-wicket victory at Lewes Priory and finished a very positive sixth place, only 20 points short of second place Hellingly who they did the double over. Youth has led the way for the seconds this season as this is a proving ground for the future 1st XI, and so it was on Saturday. Fifteen-year-old Olly Rhys Jones took his first five-wicket haul taking 5-13 in six overs reducing Lewes to 18-6.
Lewes made a recovery, but good bowling by 14-year-old Tobias Farrow 0-17 off five, and James Smeed 2-32 off eight overs meant they never really threatened, and my 2-11 ensured Lewes were all out for 84. Rye knocked off the target for the loss of three wickets, as Ed Jury 27 and Tony Cousins 23 led the way. A good first season in the county league has laid the future foundations of Rye Cricket Club.
Rye’s 3rd XI lost away to Mayfield 4th XI. Mayfield won the toss and elected to bat with Stanley Chapman high scoring with an impressive 76 before falling to the bowling of Joe Fraser, Mayfield eventually setting a target of 286 to win. Rye took to the crease with lots of hope, but that hope soon dwindled as both openers lost their wickets for just four runs. Rye were eventually all out for 121 with only Giles Manning 21 and Joe Fraser 43 showing any sign of resistance.
Overall, this has been a good season for the club. Rye is by far the smallest location of the 40 teams who compete in the Sussex cricket league. The club now goes into the close season and preparations for 2015 begin. Winter coaching starts the second week of February, the recruitment of an overseas player for 2015 also commences, and plans to generate the resources to make it all happen are now laid. If you would like to be part of the club, go to the website to find out more and to see how to join in.
Photo: Richard Melrose