Cricket, like life, has a habit of bringing you back from the depths of despair when things appear to be going badly, likewise, it can bring you back down to earth with a bump when you feel things couldn’t go any better. Last Saturday could be regarded as an upward resurgence as Rye got back to winning ways at home to newly promoted Southwater in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera.
Rye lost the toss and were asked to bat on what looked like a flat wicket at the Salts. With early moisture available for the seamer’s to exploit, openers James Hamilton and Dan Seabrook attempted to negotiate the new ball. Unfortunately, the latter fell to a good delivery from Nick Baker for 4 leaving the team concerned about the potential of another collapse. However, what followed was an excellent partnership for the second wicket between James Hamilton and Kshemal Waingankar. Both players dented the Southwater attack to see off the new ball before they cashed in on what was a very good batting wicket. The pair put on 166 for the second wicket and all but set up a competitive total. When Hamilton fell for 59 with the score on 172 Rye were well on their way to an excellent score with Waingankar poised to score his second hundred of the season.
However, before he reached this milestone, a procession of Rye wickets fell in the attempt to score quick runs. Only Mickey Toomey (16) managed to compile any late runs as Waingankar proved to be the star of the show blasting a magnificent 159 not out, dispatching the opposition bowlers to all parts of the ground. The only Southwater bowler to return respectable bowling figures was Danny Humphreys who picked up 3 wickets for 56 runs from 11 overs. This excellent performance enabled Rye to declare after 48 overs leaving them 52 overs to attempt to bowl out Southwater.
Given the quality of the wicket, and the fact that it had dried out nicely, taking 10 wickets was always going to be a challenge. This proved to be the case throughout the duration of the innings as skipper Johan Brouwer (38) set about the Rye attack in positive fashion. However, both Waingankar (5 wickets for 45 runs) and Gary Willis (1 wicket for 42 runs) picked up early wickets to put the pressure on Southwater. At 96 for 5 it looked as though Rye would complete an excellent victory after Harry Smeed (2 wickets for 46 run) removed skipper Brouwer with a decent delivery. Nonetheless, Danny Humphreys continued his good day with a well compiled 47 before falling victim to Craig Pierce (2 wickets for 15 runs) with the score on 181 for 8. Pierce managed to clean up the tail nicely in combination with Waingankar to earn the home team a hard fought win on a tough pitch for the bowlers with 9 overs to spare.
Rye now face two crunch games as they currently sit third in Division four of the Sussex Cricket League in search of promotion with a visit to Crawley on Saturday. before entertaining second placed Mayfield at home the following week.
Rye 2nds have had a tough season, blooding a young team, with performances lacking consistency as is the wont of youthful enthusiasm. Rye won the toss and elected to bat against Rottingdean 2nds. Pete Thomson 60 and Ellis Hatter 38 gave Rye the perfect start with a 106 run partnership. However as spin was introduced, the innings came to a stuttering halt. Jack Dudley 21 was the only one to offer resistance as wickets fell regularly as L Ahmed took 6 wickets for 35 runs and T Elliot took 4 wickets for57 runs. This is the second week in a row that spin has proved the undoing of the Rye batting.
In reply Rye bowled and fielded well with only R Swinscoe 41 offering a threat with the bat as Rottingdean made their way to 114-7. Martin Blincow took 3 wickets for 68 runs and Dowdeswell, Paine and Pierce took a wicket apiece and once again they were in a good position for the second time in the game. This time Rottingdean skipper Ben Shepherd (48 not out) took the game away with a T20 style blitz which Rye could not find an answer to. Despite the defeat the performances are improving, and the 2nd XI is not about winning, but about the future of the club, which looks bright.
In a busy week the U13 defeated Mersham scoring 140-3 to Mersham’s 93-4. Luke Payton and Freddie Mackenzie both scored 30. On Monday the U17s defeated Kennington in their first fixture of the season. Tobias Farrow with 40 saw Rye to a 6 wicket victory knocking off a 94 run target. On Tuesday the U15s played Mersham, with James Smeed scoring 50 not out and Oscar Goodsell 33 as they won by 34 runs.
This Saturday Rye 1st XI travel to Crawley, the 2nd XI entertain Crowhurst Park in a match sponsored by Viva Well Being, the 3rd XI entertain Newhaven 3rd XI at Northiam. Sadly the Icklesham pavilion was badly vandalised last week and is unusable. Thanks to Northiam CC and Alan Best for their support.
On Monday the U11B team host Kennington Owls, on Tuesday the Midweek XI entertain the Thames Valley Gentleman, and the U15s travel to Ashford. On Thursday the U13s travel to Great Chart, and on Friday 16 June the U17s host Mersham.
Photo by Dan Lake