Rye 1st XI 233 – 5
Mayfield 2nd XI 178
It was a return to winning ways for the 1st XI last Saturday as they defeated Mayfield 2nds in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera. Rye Concepts Man Of the Match Tom Williams led the way with 90 not out, carrying his bat throughout the 45 overs. He received support from Dan Seabrook (50), sharing a partnership of 136 runs as Rye scored 233-5.
Mayfield were dismissed for 178, with Harry Smeed (4-29) and Ben Clifton (2-32), the pick of the Rye bowlers. Only Steve Harman (52) offered resistance at the mid point in Mayfield’s innings. His resistance was ended by a fine catch by Mickey Toomey.
Rye can secure promotion next week when they travel to Crowhurst Park, and if results go their way the league title might be secured. It would seem though, that winning the league will not be decided until the final round of matches on September 1.
Rye 2nd XI 221
Laughton 1st XI 220
The 2nd XI won again as they defeated Laughton 1st XI. Rye bowled out their opponents for 220, Laughton were poised at 150-2 for a big score, as John Plomley hit 72 and Richie Burleton 49, sharing a 120 run partnership. Rye fought back, Martin Blincow (7-2-9-3), put the brake on the innings and Spencer Sharkey (2-38) and Harry Rhys Jones (2-60) mopped up the rest. Then Luke Payton (95) and John Mackenzie (49) put Laughton to the sword, sharing a 143 run partnership in 20 overs. Luke Payton is now the highest run scorer in the Division, with 641 runs at an average of 58.47. Despite a wobble of 3 wickets with 5 to win, Mark Cook (43*) took Rye home in the 38th over. Rye now sit mid table, an impressive performance by the young side.
Next Saturday Rye host Isfield 1st XI the league leaders in a match sponsored by The Mermaid Inn. Just like the 1st XI, the 2nd XI will be seeking their highest ever league finish, in the Sussex pyramid.
East Dean & Friston 2nd XI 202
Rye 3rd XI 188-7
Rye third team travelled to face East Dean & Friston second team for their latest division 14 East (South) fixture and on winning the toss Rye elected to bowl first on a damp wicket.
An opening partnership of 71 got the home side off to a solid start seeing off the opening bowling attack, the introduction of Ross Pierce saw the dismissal Dan Narracott (48) in his first over. Two further wickets fell in quick succession reducing East Dean to 74-3, this bought Gaurav Bijlani to the crease and having been dropped early in his innings went on to make the visitors suffer. A fourth wicket partnership of 41 steadied the innings before opener Mike Hutchins (35) was dismissed by Pierce who went on to finish with figures of 3-59 from 9 overs. Bijlani then took control of the innings and increased the run rate as the other batsmen were unable to reach double figures as Rowan Sharkey (3-37) took regular wickets. The return of Freddie Mackenzie into the attack saw Bijlani dismissed in his first over of his second spell having scored 73, later in the innings two wickets in two balls saw Mackenzie go on to claim figures of 3-29 from 9 overs. Jack Keen (1-40) was the other Rye wicket taker as East Dean were dismissed in the 37th over having scored 202.
Rye got off to a slow start against an opening attack which bowled consistently tight lines making scoring difficult, a second wicket partnership of 57 looked to increase the run rate before Martin Duffield (36) was caught trying to hit one too many balls to the boundary falling victim to Ian Ungless (2-28). A fifth wicket partnership steadied the innings before opener Rowan Sharkey (40) was bowled by Dan Narracott (1-16), Jack Keen continued to chase the run rate and a sixth wicket partnership of 40 with Michael Sharkey (24) made the chances of victory possible before the latter was dismissed by Dan Matthews (2-31). Jack Keen finished on 54 not out as Rye fell just 15 runs short of victory having lost seven wickets. The other East Dean wicket takers were Matthew Loe and Mark Pankhurst each returning figures of 1-21.
This Saturday Rye host league leaders Pevensey 2nds at Icklesham.
Photo: James Smeed