Rye finished off their 2015 season with the better half of a draw against Hellingly in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera. Batting first on a turgid pitch, Rye found life tough early on with the outfield slow as a consequence of the recently damp weather. Nonetheless both James Hamilton and Dan Seabrook went about their business in workmanlike fashion to compile an effective opening partnership of 103 from 28 overs. Hamilton (49) fell just one short of a deserved half century to the bowling of Chris Morris (1 for 40) whilst Seabrook fell just after, to the bowling of James Pooley for a well made 45.
Both players set the foundation for an onslaught from the remaining overs and Kshermal Waingankar didn’t disappoint with an aggressive 50 not out, taking on the Hellingly spinners with consummate ease. However, at the other end, wickets continued to fall to the bowling of Pooley (4 for 62) with only Gary Willis (18) and Harry Smeed (26 not out) offering any support. However, by the close of innings Rye had posted an over par score of 225 for 7 from their 53 overs.
Rye set about the Hellingly innings with fervour as Craig Pierce picked up both Steve Hook (5) and Pooley (8) in a solid opening opening spell. However, third wicket pair of Greg Devlin (61) and Monty Payne (31) steadied the ship by adding 82. With the return of Pierce to the attack, which removed both batsmen, Hellingly was left rocking at 124 for 4. However, the other bowlers were not as successful and found it tough work on a slow pitch.
The introduction of Ben Clifton (3 for 25) gave Rye some hope, but in the end the game petered out to a draw with both Daniel Pellet (18) and David Pye (8 not out) seeing the game out. On the whole though this was a positive season for Rye with some considerable improvements made on last year. They can now look forward to hopefully gaining promotion to Division Three of the Sussex County League next season.
Notable performers with the bat this year include Dan Seabrook with 429 runs/ average 26.81, James Hamilton with 400 runs/avg. 25 and Kshermal Waingankar 390/avg. 27.86. With the ball Kshermal Waingankar 66 wickets/avg. 12.24, Craig Pierce 30 wickets/avg. 12.7, Gary Willis 20 wickets/avg. 22.40 and Harry Smeed 20 wickets/avg. 22.75.
In the evening nearly 100 people attended the Awards Evening at the Sidney Allnut pavilion which has been re-opened downstairs following work by Rother to make the pavilion good. The evening’s guests fed on fish and chips from the mobile van run by Dean Tarrant, a big thank you to him. Then there were presentations of awards to the five Colts teams, and appreciation of all the support from parents, grandparents and coaches which ensured that the Colts section played over 50 games of cricket this season.
The Adult section reflected on the club’s highest ever position in Sussex League cricket, and the impact overseas player Kshemal had made both on and off the pitch. The 3rd Xl player of the year was James Jury, the second’s was Pete Thomson, much competed for as five players had hit centuries in the Seconds, and Dan Seabrook was the 1st Xl player of the year.
Club Awards were the Mike Thomas Trophy for the U16 League player of the year; Tobias Farrow, the U21 League player of the year; the Fullerton Cup to Harry Smeed, and the William Ellis clubman of the year Spencer Fielding.
It was also bon voyage to Harry Smeed who is off to Melbourne Australia to play cricket this winter. The club now looks forward to 2016 and preparations are already underway.