Rye 1st XI 122 – 5
Crowhurst Park 1st XI 120
Rye hosted local rivals Crowhurst Park on June 23 looking to get an important win on the board in a cricket match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera.
Rye captain Harry Smeed lost the toss and Rye were asked to bowl, which pleased the Rye camp. Opening bowlers Cleon Reece and Tobias Farrow bowled well in their opening spells reducing Crowhurst Park to 57-3, Reece with all three wickets.
Craig Pierce was introduced into the attack in his first game for the front side this season and bowled extremely well, ripping through the Crowhurst Park middle order to claim great figures of 3-34. This reduced Crowhurst Park to 68-6 before a mini recovery from Hobbs (36) and Jones (14) took Crowhurst to 118-6.
George Wathen dismissed Jones, then Harry Smeed decided to re-introduce Reece back into the attack, and he put in a Rye Concepts “Man of the Match” performance, taking the last three wickets in an over to finish with superb figures of 6-31, and Park all out for 120.
Rye’s chase got off to a rocky start with Tong picking up two quick wickets to leave Rye 19-2. Harry Smeed made a quick-fire 21 but, when he was dismissed, Rye were 42-3 and needed a partnership. They got one in George Wathen (32) and Dan Seabrook (53*) who both batted with patience and an attacking mindset when the opportunities were there.
Rye lost a couple of wickets late on but passed the score 5 down and claimed a vital 30 points to keep their unbeaten record going and remain top of the league.
Rye 2nd XI 161
Isfield 2nd XI 224 – 6
With skipper Ben Clifton away with the first team, as were three other players, it was down to Ellis Hatter, and young Colts drafted in, to see if he could get Rye’s second win of the season against top of the table Isfield.
After losing the toss Rye were asked to bowl first. Some tidy opening bowling from Spencer Sharkey (0-16) and Gary Willis (16 overs, 1-61), and Rye got off to a good start. But with the new ball starting to get older and the sun baking the pitch out even more it got a lot easier for the Isfield batsmen.
Contributions from 17-year-old Callum Haddaway (1-25), 16-year-old George Channon (8-0) and Martin Blincow (20-2) were good, but Isfield posted 224-6 at the break.
After tea Rye set out to try get the second win of the season. But with both openers falling for few runs, and with Rye’s wickets falling at regular intervals, Rye stumbled to 161 all out with Mark Cook (45) and Matt Page (23) the only batsman to take it to the Isfield bowling attack.
However vital points were gained as Rye 2nds remain mid table in a Division of predominantly first teams. The youngsters of Rye are thriving and developing in the environment.
Pevensey 2nd XI 142-3
Rye 3rd XI 140
Rye third team travelled to face Pevensey seconds for their latest Division 14 East (South) fixture on Saturday and on losing the toss were asked to bat first.
A reasonable opening start for Rye with a partnership of 35 was ended by James Matanle, opener Rowan Sharkey then fell victim to a mix up between the batsmen becoming the second wicket to fall with the score on 45 as Sharkey was dismissed for 27.
Wickets then fell at more regular intervals as Matanle went on to finish with figures of 5-44. With the score 66-5 James Jury looked to steady the innings. David Goddard hit a quick 22 before being bowled by Guy Moore (1-38).
Bill Filby (2-9) claimed the final two wickets as Rye were dismissed for 140 as Jury finished on 29 not out. The other Pevensey wicket taker was Neil Hatcher (1-42).
In response the Pevensey opener, Paul Board looked to steadily chase down the runs. Freddie Mackenzie (1-11) was able to claim an early wicket, but this brought Ian Swingler to the crease, who scored 24 before being caught off the bowling of Rowan Sharkey, who finished with figures of 2-26.
Pevensey reached their target for the loss of three wickets with 23 overs to spare as Board finished on 62 not out.
This Saturday Rye 1sts travel to Hellingly 1sts, the 2nds host Robertsbridge 1sts in a match sponsored by the Mermaid Inn. The 3rd XI are without a fixture as Hellingly 4th XI have withdrawn from the league.
On Monday the U11s host Mersham, the U15s go to Wye on Tuesday and on Thursday the U13s host Mersham.
Then next Friday it is the annual Rye Cricket Bat and Trap Event. 6:30pm for a 7pm start, bar and BBQ, and an evening of fun and fund-raising for teams of six. Any age / gender / talent can play play this traditional Kentish game.
Photo: Martin Blincow