Rye 1st XI 231 – 6
Rottingdean 1st XI 162 – 6
Rye hosted Rottingdean in a top of the table clash in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera. Captain Harry Smeed lost the toss and are where asked to bat on a dry wicket that looked like it would take spin later on in the game which suited Rye.
Rye got off to a poor start with in-form James Hamilton out for 6 but Tom Williams (69) and George Wathen (26) built a good partnerships which out Rye back on track, Harry Smeed scored a quick fire 18 but this only brought Rye Concepts Man of the Match Dan Seabrook to the crease who along with Williams took the Rottingdean attack apart. Seabrook smashed the spinners to all parts piling the pressure on Rottingdean and Rye ended up 231-6, largely thanks to Seabrook’s 90 not out, his highest league score.
Rye felt they had enough runs on the board but needed to take early wickets to put the pressure on and push for the win.
Cleon Reece picked up two wickets in his first spell to give Rye a chance, but Henry Ledden (51) occupied the crease for a long time never scoring at a rate to win the match but sucking up balls to deny the home team a victory. He, along with Mushtaq-Islam (56), denied Rye a chance to increase the lead at the top of the table dramatically. Harry Smeed (1-51 off 15 overs) throwing everything at the opposition but couldn’t find a way through. He was well supported by George Wathen (1-13), but Rottingdean ended up on 162-6 ensuring that a draw was to be the result.
Rye picked up 13 points to Rottingdean’s 5 so they increased their lead at the top of the league slightly.
Next week Rye host St Peter’s who are currently sitting fourth so it will be another tough game for Rye who are still unbeaten after 11 games.
Rye 2nd XI 255 – 7
Crowhurst Park 2nd XI
Rye 2nds claimed a valuable win against top of the table Crowhurst Park last Saturday. With skipper Ben Clifton away on first team duties it was left to vice captain Ellis Hatter to try and take 30 points home. After winning the toss Rye chose to bat first.
An early breakthrough for Park saw Luke Payton caught at extra cover for 0 in the second over with the score 6-1. But Rye managed to steady the ship and push the Crowhurst Park attack back. At 61-3 Jake Bryant returned to the Rye line up after 5 years absence. He soon got to work punishing the Park attack. He fell for a violent 81. Then Matt Page (51*) and Craig Pierce (20*) saw Rye race to 255-7.
After tea Rye set about defending the 255 scored and got off to a great start with tidy bowling from Spencer Sharkey (2-19) and Craig Pierce (2-20) restricting Crowhurst Park to 46-5 at the first drink stage. But with Nick Taylor at the crease for Crowhurst Park anything was still possible. However with wickets falling at a steady rate at the other end from the bowling of Jack Dudley (2-47) and and Martin Blincow (3-29) his efforts just weren’t enough to stop Rye getting their third win of the season. This Saturday the 2nds travel to play Willingdon 1sts.
Hailsham 4th XI 151
Rye 3rd XI 170
Rye third team sitting bottom of division 14 East (South) travelled to second place Hailsham fourths for their first limited overs league fixture.
Upon winning the toss Hailsham elected to field first and soon claimed two early wickets, this bought Freddie Mackenzie to the crease to join fellow colt Rowan Sharkey both looking to steady the innings and punish any wayward bowling. Eventually both were caught as Sharkey (24) was dismissed by Fenton Webster (1-29) and Mackenzie being dismissed by John Cole (2-25) having scored 34. Jack Keen (22) and Michael Sharkey (19) both looked to increase the score before they fell victim to Thomas Mills (2-37). George Channon hit a quick 28 before being bowled by Warren Downs (2-10), James Jury was the last wicket to fall having scored 13 being caught off the bowling of Jake Muller (2-29). Ten-man Rye reached 170 with 3 overs to spare.
Channon (1-30) made a breakthrough in the first over after tea with a well held catch at point from Martin Duffield. A change in bowlers finished the second wicket stand as Thomas Mills (31) and Warren Down (17) were dismissed in quick succession by Sharkey and Keen. Wickets then started to fall more regularly, Muller provided resistance being one of the last wickets to fall having scored 24, being bowled by the returning Keen who finished with figures of 4-33 from 6.1 overs. Gavin Muller (19) was the only other batsmen to reach double figures before being dismissed by Martin Duffield (1-13) as Hailsham were dismissed with 10 overs to spare. Sharkey finished with figures of 3-21 from 9 overs. This Saturday Rye 3rds host Westfield 2nds at Icklesham.
Last week Rye’s Colts section were very busy, with the U15s tieing with Mersham, and the U13s and U11s losing to Mersham. The U9s fielded 2 teams against Robertsbridge last Sunday morning with a win and a loss. The Colts draw to an end next week with the U11s hosting Great Chart on Monday and the U15s travelling to Wye on Tuesday.
This evening Rye holds the final coaching session of the season. More than 70 young people have been involved in 13 weeks of fun on The Salts. The Club will be announcing soon the arrangements for the Winter Coaching Programme to commence in February 2019.
Photo: James Smeed