Rye 1st XI win thrilling victory

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Cuckfield 1st XI  201
Rye 1st XI  204 – 6
Rye travelled to Cuckfield searching for another win to keep them on top of the league.
Rye skipper Harry Smeed lost the toss and Rye were asked to bowl. They got off to a great start with Rye Concepts Man of the Match, James Smeed, together with Cleon Reece, ripping through the top four with James Smeed finding the outside edge on numerous occasions.
Cuckfield needed a partnership and a counter attacking 41 from Ben John threatened to put them on top but a stunning one handed diving catch from captain Harry Smeed ended his innings.
Wickets fell at regular intervals with Reece being reintroduced to pick up a further 3 wickets and man of the match James Smeed returned to pick up another wicket to leave him with four wickets, his best haul for the first team. Cuckfield scraped their way to 201 all out.
Rye felt confident on a small ground with a fast outfield, that the chase would be straight forward.
A perfect start was made with James Hamilton continuing his fine form with 39 and Williams with 15 to put on 60 for the first wicket. George Wathen (18) and a quick fire 35 from Harry Smeed took the score along to 118-3 but Rye collapsed and lost three wickets in quick succession and found themselves 6 wickets down needing a further 57 runs and a partnership was needed. They found one in Spencer Fielding 24* and a marvellous 36* from Tobias Farrow who knocked of the remaining runs in 6 overs to leave Cuckfield stunned and Rye’s unbeaten run continuing.
Rye host Rottingdean on Saturday in a top of the table clash at The Rye Cricket Salts, in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera.
Rye 2nd XI  149
Lewes Priory 1st XI  245 – 6
Rye 2nds entered the second half of the season against visitors Lewes Priory 1st XI, in the revised format of 45 overs a side game. On a very hot day Lewes won the toss and elected to bat. They were quick out of the traps, blasting the ball to all parts with the 15 over fielding restriction in place. Youngsters Spencer Sharkey and Harry Rhys Jones made early breakthroughs, but the dropped catch of Chris Baker was to prove costly, as he proceeded to 84 before falling in the latter part of the innings. Rye kept going in the field but on a lightning quick outfield, a late burst from Lewes saw them to 245-6 off 45 overs.
Rye’s reply was positive as John Mackenzie (29) and Luke Payton (17) put on 30 for the first wicket. However Rye lost wickets at regular intervals, so were not up with the run rate at any time. Ellis Hatter with 25 and Spencer Sharkey (21) put together a late rally as Rye finished on 149 all out. Rye 2nds remain mid table in a division of mainly 1st XIs with a group of young players learning valuable lessons. The same lessons the young 1st XI players are clearly putting into practice this season.
Tomorrow Rye 2nds travel to Crowhurst Park 2nds, seeking to continue their education. The 3rd XI are travelling to play Hailsham 4ths. On Sunday the U9s host Robertsbridge, the U11s host Mersham on Monday, on Tuesday the U15s travel to Mersham, and Thursday the U13s travel to Wye.
Last Friday the Annual Bat and Trap Evening was a great success, with just short of a £1000 raised on the evening. A big thank you to everyone who organised and participated.

Photo: Harry Smeed

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