This weekend, April 5-6 is “Get Set” weekend across the country for cricket Clubs, as they prepare for the 2025 season, and there will be a hive of activity to prepare the Cricket Salts. Members will be putting together practice nets, covers, sightscreens, painting a kitchen in the pavilion, erecting the picket fence and, most importantly, continue to work on the square and outfield, as this is now the responsibility of the club and no longer Rother District Council.
The club are indebted to Rye Tennis Club’s head groundsman, Adam Stunt, for his guidance and work on the square. At present the it looks far better than it has ever done. Over the weekend the pre-season rolling will commence and the marking of the wickets. The outfield has been looked after by club president Phil Merricks as we week-by-week take down the height of the grass, so we can shortly mark the boundary. All this effort now relies on the shoulders of volunteers to ensure not only cricket can be played, but a key visual aspect of Rye remains attractive.
There are still two more weeks of indoor nets for the adults on Friday evenings at Claremont School in Bodiam and 4 weeks of junior practice at Rye Sports Centre on Wednesday evening.
Adult practice moves outdoor on Friday, April 18, with the first pre-season fixture on Saturday, April 26 with the 1st XI hosting Staplehurst. The following week the 1st XI travel to Tenterden and the 2nd XI travel to Robertsbridge. The league season commences on May 10.
Rye are holding a signing on night on Friday, April 25 from 7pm onwards at the pavilion for both juniors and adults. At 7.30pm that evening the club will host the 2024 season awards for both juniors and adults which was cancelled due to the rain-enforced cancellation of the last league games in 2024.
Don’t forget that the online booking system for softball cricket is now open. We are offering the All Stars and Cricket Dynamos programmes from Sunday, May 11 at the Cricket Salts. For all the details go to: https://www.ecb.co.uk/play/all-stars
To get involved with Rye Cricket Club contact Martin Blincow blincsfamily@aol.com or 07535 482006.