Rye’s 1st XI knew that they needed to win against Rottingdean, to maintain hopes of challenging for promotion in Sussex Premier Cricket League division 4.
Stand in skipper James Hamilton lost the toss and Rye were asked to field first. Craig Pierce and 15-year-old Tobias Farrow took the new ball and initially found themselves under pressure, as openers Michael Smith and Jonathan Smith started in an aggressive fashion, flaying the ball to all parts of the ground, before Farrow held his nerve to bowl Michael Smith for a quick-fire 23. The very next over Pierce had Jonathan Smith sharply held by Hamilton at slip, to leave Rottingdean 41 for 2.
What then followed was a somewhat miraculous collapse, as Farrow then had Will Wright caught at mid-off by Jack Dudley for 4 to reduce Rottingdean to 41 for 3. Pierce then got in on the act, as he ripped through the middle order in combination with Harry Smeed. Wickets fell at regular intervals throughout the innings, to eventually leave Rottingdean 88 all out from just 22.4 overs.
Pierce finished with excellent figures of 5 for 42 from 10 overs, with Smeed picking up 3 for 12 in his best bowling display of the summer. However, a special mention must be made of 15-year-old Toby Farrow, who picked up 2 for 32 in his first league appearance for the 1st team. Farrow joins a long list of 1st XI players who have progressed through the clubs coaching programme in recent years.
In reply, Rye set about the target in speculative fashion in an attempt to dent the new ball attack. James Hamilton and Dan Seabrook then started to set about dispatching the bad ball in an opening stand of 56, before Seabrook fell for 13 to the bowling of Elliot (2 for 16). Overseas player Hugo Nel then joined Hamilton, whereupon the pair took the total to 75 with Hamilton reaching his half-century from just 60 balls.
However, Hamilton was then caught off the bowling of Elliot, attempting to close out the game. Will Wheeler then came to the crease but was swiftly removed before Nel (11 not out) and Fin Thomson (1 not out) saw Rye over the line in just 23.3 overs.
This was a truly well deserved victory for Rye, who remain unbeaten this season and indicates the potential that the team has to move forward and contend for promotion. The team travel to new League leaders Slinfold, hoping to repeat their successes of the previous week.
The 2nds endured another difficult day. A team full of experience and ability, it is unable at the moment to capitalize on opportunities, and to suffer an extraordinary lack of luck. On Saturday, Rye 2nds watched Rottingdean rack up 272 -7 off 44 overs. Nick Paine with 3 wickets was the most effective bowler. Javid Jawji struck 96 runs as opener, as he smeared the ball, although dropping him 4 times did not help, even though none were easy. It was the story of the innings, as the ball flew in the air to odd parts of the ground. Rye’s reply looked assured, as the first four batsmen had each scored a league hundred in the previous season. However, the reality of 26-6 off just 10 overs says it all. None of the dismissals made much sense and Rye were finally dismissed for 50 off 28 overs, 2 of which were run outs from throws thrown from the boundary. Curiouser and curiouser.
The 3rd XI maintained top spot in Division 12, as they defeated St Peter’s 5th XI by 5 wickets. St Peter’s batted first and against tight bowling never got away from Rye. Max Goodsell 3-26 and Mike Stoneham 3-32 were the pick out bowlers, but a good all round performance saw St Peter’s restricted to 125-9 off 50 overs. Rye’s response was led by Tim Brownbill who hit 76 not out as Rye went past the target in the 35th over.
The Colts have had a mixed season so far, as fixtures have been disrupted by weather and opposition teams conceding. The U13s defeated Mersham, whilst the U17s slipped to defeat against Great Chart, as did the U15s. All good performances though, and offer plenty of promise for the future. This is exemplified by the fact that last Saturday’s 1st XI featured 9 out of 11 players who had played as Colts for Rye.
On Friday June 10, the U17s travel to Mersham, then on Saturday June 11 the 1st XI travel to Slinfold, the 2nd XI host Crowhurst Park and the 3rd XI travel to Isfield. On Sunday June 12, Rye play Beckley away in a friendly, on Monday 13 June the U11s travel to Boughton, and on Tuesday June 14 the U15s travel to Boughton.