Rye 1st XI 141
Buxted Park 263 – 5
Last Saturday, August 11, Rye 1sts travelled to Buxted Park with an undefeated record, the only remaining such record in the Sussex League. On departure seven hours later, that record had been sadly lost, but Rye still remain 30 points clear at the top of Division 4 East, with just three games remaining. All three fixtures are against teams from the lower reaches of the division, but it will still require focus and application to get Rye across the winning line.
On Saturday Rye suffered at the hands of Buxted Park’s overseas Jack Calocao who struck a hard-hitting 100. Buxted had wobbled at 79-4 in this 45-over win/lose fixture. But Calocao took the game away, supported by Gareth Clift 45 not out, they shared a 141-run partnership. Buxted finished on 263-5. Only Tobias Farrow and George Wathen with two wickets apiece made an impression with the ball.
In response Rye were all out for 141. Harry Smeed (34), George Wathen (29) and Ben Clifton (26 not out) were the only ones to make an impression with the bat, as that man Calacao took 3-3.
This Saturday Rye host Mayfield 2nds in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera, looking to bounce back.
Rye 2nd XI 208 – 2
Tunbridge Wells Borderers 194 – 9
Rye 2nds on Saturday hosted Tunbridge Wells Borderers 1st Xl in a match sponsored by The Mermaid Inn. An inch of rain had fallen on the wicket, and ominously Rye lost the toss and were invited to bat. Opening pair Luke Payton and Ellis Hatter got Rye off to a positive start, sharing a 53 run partnership. This became the story of the innings as 15-year-old Luke Payton batted for all 45 overs for 111 not out, sharing further partnerships starting with Mark Cook (81), then rounded off the innings with Jake Bryant 40 not out, as they took Rye to 208-2, including 23 runs off the final over.
Borderers went off in positive style to chase down the target. Robert Teague hit 47, and the runs mounted up, but so did the wickets as Jake Bryant took 3-57. The game was finely balanced as Borderers reached 169-7 as Callum Wood hit 42 and Chris Greenall 30, but their demise saw Borderers finish on 194-9, and another win for Rye 2s. For Rye Martin Blincow 2-27, Craig Pierce 1-22, Spencer Sharkey 2-45 and Harry Rhys Jones 1-37 were the bowling heroes.
The 1st XI decided that the Rye Concepts MOM should go to Luke Payton, for his maiden 2nd XI century.
This Saturday August 18, the 2nds travel to Laughton and the 3rds go to East Dean. Next week the U16s play friendlies against Mersham, Bexhill and Crowhurst Park.
Photo: Martin Blincow