Last Saturday was a positive end to the season as the 2nds and 3rds won chasing down large totals and the 1sts narrowly lost by 7 runs to Crowhurst Park, in another high scoring match.
Rye 1sts travelled to Crowhurst Park 1sts who were chasing the division title, and Rye were chasing points to avoid relegation. Rye made a great start as Carl Mumba took two wickets in the first over. The Park fought back to 73-3, when the experienced Martin Blincow took 3 wickets as Park stumbled at 84-6. However, Rye could not press home their advantage and the Park reached 237-7 thanks to Matthew Constable 75 not out and Nick Peters 51.
Rye in reply lost Mumba early and then scored at 5 an over and kept losing wickets carelessly. and at 115-5 relegation loomed. But Luke Payton, 86 not out and another experienced player, Mark Cook, took Rye to 194-6, then Payton threatened an unlikely victory with a barrage of hits. Off the last over 18 runs were required. The first ball went for a massive six. However, he couldn’t repeat and Rye fell 7 short. However, the bonus points kept Rye up by one point.
Planning is already in place for the 2023 season to ensure the club’s playing resources are strengthened in 2023.
The 2nds hosted Firle at the Salts with relegation hanging over both. Firle at tea were 231-7 and looking in a strong position. Ben Clifton 3-43 the pick of the Rye bowlers. Rye though were positive and won by 6 wickets with 2 overs to spare as Will Wheeler hit 87 and Kyle Scott 59 and Harry Rhys Jones 28.
The 3rds have had a good season winning more games than in previous years as the youngsters have developed as well as the dads. Crowhurst Park 4ths hit 213-8 off 40 overs, Alex Stone with 4-23 cemented his position as the 3rds leading wicket taker. Rye made short work of the target, as Colin O’Neill carried his bat 49 not out, and Harry Little 90 as the Thirds finished 5th in the Division. The events of the day certainly lifted the mood and the bar profits at the end of season barbecue following the games.
This weekend the action on the Salts will be club members carrying out the end of season renovations and tidying up the pavilion and putting away the ground equipment.
The club is working on its development plan for 2023 and preparing for the start of autumn coaching on October 6 at Rye Sports Centre. 2023 is an important season for Rye Cricket Club as we celebrate 270 seasons of cricket in Rye, with a fixture against the MCC, a club younger than Rye, and a proposed fixture against Lydd CC who were the first opponents of Rye on the Salts on July 25, 1844.
We are always looking for support to develop the club. If you would like to contribute then please contact club secretary Martin Blincow on blincsfamily@aol.com or 07535 482006.
Image Credits: Rye Cricket Club .