Rye 1st XI 211 – 9
Crowhurst Park 192
Rye 1st XI secured promotion to Division 3 East of the Sussex Cricket League on Saturday, August 25, defeating local rivals Crowhurst Park by 19 runs in a tense finish. Next season Rye will be competing at the highest standard yet in their history. It is a really commendable achievement for the club, which is built on the strong base of a successful Colts programme. On Saturday, six of the team were former colts.
Rye got off to a promising start, reaching 112-2, led by Tom Williams (41). However a frenzy of wickets fell as Paul Brookes (3-23) and Joe Lovell (2-31) threatened to undermine Rye’s promotion hopes. This year’s success has been built on a team effort, and this time Rye Concepts MOM Spencer Fielding hit 44 not out off 46 balls to take Rye to 211-9 off 45 overs, aided by 41 extras.
Crowhurst Park made a strong reply as Clive Tong (58) and John Merrick (26) put the Park on course for victory. Then just as in the Rye’s innings, a middle order collapse triggered by George Wathen’s nine overs, 3-13. Then Park hit back as Paul Brookes (30*) and Josh Jones (24) edged Park to victory, but Ben Clifton (1-29) and Harry Smeed (2-30), removed the final resistance, dismissing Park for 192.
Next Saturday Rye 1st XI host Hellingly 1st XI requiring just one point to secure the League Title, in a match to be sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetra. Following the match at 8pm, Rye Cricket Club will be holding its Annual Awards Evening at The Sidney Allnutt Pavilion for both the Junior and Senior Sections, with a Bar and BBQ.
Rye 2nd XI 161 – 8
Isfield 1st XI 203 – 9
Rye 2nd XI hosted league leaders Isfield 1st XI on Saturday in a match sponsored by The Mermaid Inn. Rye had only 10 men due to holiday and work issues, plus only 2 players aged over 25, and only one player who had not played in the Colts. Rye bowled first and soon had Isfield in trouble at 21-3, but the experience of Isfield hit back as Hall (48) and Hart (59) took Isfield to 118-4. Rye then hit back through Martin Blincow who removed both in quick succession and then bowled tightly as he took 3-30 in 9 overs. Supported by 15-year-old Spencer Sharkey 3-11 off 6 overs Rye restricted Isfield to 203-9 off 45 overs.
Rye made a solid start as Luke Payton (22) and Ellis Hatter (29) compiled a 50-run partnership and the team were in a good position. Rye then lost their way and wickets against tight bowling by Isfield. No Rye batsmen managed to make a significant score that was required, as Jake Bryant hit 30 and Harry Rhys Jones 29. A late flurry from the tail end saw Rye to 161-8. Rye 2nd XI remain in mid-table in a league of 1st XIs, some of whom five years ago were playing Rye 1st XI. A sign of the progress made by the club, and another success for the club in the 2018 season.
Next Saturday Rye 2nd XI travel to play Robertsbridge 1st XI in the final match of the season.
Rye 3rd XI 136
Pevensey 2nd XI 137-6
Rye third team hosted table-topping Pevensey seconds for their final division 14 East (South) fixture of the 2018 season and on losing the toss were asked to bat first.
The opening bowling attack of James Matanle (1-23) and Edward Fielding (2-17) reduced Rye to 31-3 with only Martin Duffield being able to provide resistance. A 48-run fourth wicket partnership steadied the innings and made the score more respectable before Guy Moore (3-33) dismissed Michael Sharkey for 22. Martin Duffield was the only other batsman to reach double figures, scoring 72 before being bowled by Mackie Stiles who went on to claim figures of 3-24. Extras was the second highest scorer with 23 as Rye were dismissed for 136 in the 38th over.
Rye also got off to a good start with the ball as the opening bowling spell saw four wickets fall with Ross Pierce claiming figures of 1-26 from 9 overs and Callum Haddaway later completing his overs for figures of 3-13 from nine overs which included Dominic Simes (10). The first ball from Mike Stoneham also resulted in a wicket who later went on to dismiss Ian Swingler (10) to finish with figures of 2-27 from six overs. The seventh wicket partnership of James Matanle (27 not out) and Nick Chapman (33 not out) saw Pevensey to victory in the 33rd over.
This Saturday Rye 3rds play a friendly against an Icklesham XI to raise money for the New Pavilion Fund at Icklesham Playing Fields.
Image Credits: Harry Smeed .