Rye CC 1st XI cruised to a second successive pre-season victory last Saturday as they trounced Horsmonden by ten wickets at the Salts.
With what looked like a very flat wicket, Horsmonden won the toss and elected to bat first. The opening pair of Ed Streeton and Khaalid Moothosamy looked relatively self assured at the crease as they started to compile a solid opening stand, before Gary Willis removed Streeten for 10, leaving Horsmonden 21 for 1 after the first 8 overs. Jamie Young joined Moothosamy at the crease and the pair then put on a partnership of 41 before both players fell in quick succession to leave Horsmonden rocking at 64 for 3. Young (7) was clean bowled by Willis who put in a much-improved display with the ball to finish with 2 for 23 from his allotted 8 overs. Moothosamy (44) was then excellently caught in the deep by 15-year-old Toby Farrow (making his first appearance for the 1st XI), off the bowling of Harry Smeed to leave Horsmonden in a vulnerable position.
It would be fair to say that Horsmonden never recovered after the loss of their best two batters as they then proceeded to succumb to some excellent Rye bowling. Smeed (4 for 27 from 8 overs) and Finlay Thomson (3 for 14 form 4 overs) displayed excellent skills to rip the heart out of the Horsmonden batting line up. Only Nick Paul (30) and Liam Budd (18) offered any resistance with the bat in guiding Horsmonden to a well below par target of 136 all out inside 37 overs. A special mention must go to Toby Farrow who picked up his first 1st XI eleven wicket to close out the innings.
In reply Rye were never troubled by the Horsmonden bowling attack as both James Hamilton and Dan Seabrook set about dispatching the bowling to all parts of the ground. The Horsmonden bowlers provided too many loose deliveries for the opening pair to feed on and Rye cruised to a ten-wicket victory within 24 overs. Hamilton finished with 76 not out and Seabrook was just one shy of a first fifty of the season with 49 not out.
The match ended Horsmonden CC 136 all out v Rye CC 137 for 0
This was the final fixture for the 1st XI before they enter into league action on Saturday May 7 at the Salts against Henfield. The club couldn’t have put stronger performances in both of their pre-season fixtures and hopes are high this work can be carried into the league season.
Last Friday Signing On Night was a great success with over 50 people signing on during the evening. The club also took the opportunity to thank Greg Swaine and Mark Swaine of ART Design who very kindly donated a new kitchen for the downstairs area of The Sidney Allnutt Pavilion. (Pictured here, with Rye CC committee members Darren Smith and Spencer Fielding). 
The club is also developing the pavilion with the award from the English Cricket Board, of £1250 to purchase bar equipment and bar furniture to enhance the pavilion’s ability to generate funds and sustain its’ long term future.
Friday evening Colts practice gets underway, with school years 4-8 from 6-7pm and schools years 9-13 from 7-8pm, all with qualified ECB coaches.
This Saturday the league season begins with the 1st XI entertaining Henfield in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera, the 2nd XI travel to St James, and the 3rd XI play Hailsham 4th XI at Icklesham.
On Sunday the U15 host Meisse Wolverines, who are on tour from Belgium, on Monday the U11 play host to Tenterden at the Salts, the U15 play at home to Boughton at Icklesham, whilst the Midweek XI play Marden at home. Then the U13s on Thursday travel to Wye.
Photo by Martin Blincow