It was a day of three narrow defeats for Rye Cricket Club last Saturday, as all three teams succumbed to thrilling, one wicket defeats. High on the excitement, heavy on the disappointment.
Rye 1sts hosted Lindfield 1sts at the Rye Cricket Salts in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera. Rye lost the toss and were invited to bat. Rye struggled early on, a symptom of the season so far. Rye were soon 64-5, slipping from 59-2. Luke Payton 116 not out and Ruari Cummings 34 not out, then halted the slide and went on the attack as they shared an unbroken 160 run partnership. Luke Payton was the most brutal, hitting six sixes, and in the process losing 3 balls.
At tea Rye had seized the initiative on 224-5 in 45 overs. Lindfield made a positive response and were soon cruising on 114-2, when an unforced run out cost Imesh Udayanga, 45, his wicket. This heralded a Rye fightback and Lindfield were sinking at 160-9, as Dylan Harrison – Smith 2-28, Harry Smeed 2-36 and James Smeed 3-40 appeared to seal the win. However Pranay Krishna, who earlier had missed his fielding duties to a shoulder injury, then dispatched the Rye attack for 3 sixes and hit 53 not out off 32 balls, to see Lindfield home by one wicket with one ball to spare. Very frustrating, but exciting.
The 2nds travelled to Brighton to play St Peters 3rds, and discovered a sub par wicket. Rye batted first and struggled manfully to score 130-9 off 40 overs. Riley McCarthy, 35 not out and Ben Clifton, 33, were the only ones to make headway. St Peters made similar progress, losing wickets at regular intervals. 55-6 brought Greg Lee 76 no to the wicket and it was his composure who saw St Peters home to go past Rye’s total in the 37th over, with just a wicket left to fall. Blake Rouse 3-23, Ben Clifton 2-8 off 8 overs and Ed Jury 3-13 the unlucky bowlers not to force the win.
The 3rds also were frustrated. Rye 3s batted first and reached 174-9 in 40 overs. Jonathan Wadczak, 44 and James Jury, 21, the pick of the batters. In reply Little Common Ramblers (LCR) 3rds secured a one wicket win in the 37th over. LCR had a 55 run opening partnership, but Rye fought back as David Jempson took 3-38, and Neil Archer and Oscar Wincott-Stone each took two wickets. At 165-9 the game was in the balance, but LCR 3rds sneaked home.
On Monday evening the tables were reversed as Rye U11b beat previously undefeated Ashford U11b by one run. At home the A team lost by 20 runs to Folkestone A.
This week Rye 1sts travel to Crowhurst Park 1sts, the 2nds host Little Common Ramblers 2nds in a match sponsored by The Mermaid Inn, and Rye 3rds host Crowhurst Park 4ths at Icklesham.
Image Credits: Kt Bruce .