Rye entertained second placed Crawley on Saturday in this Sussex cricket league division four fixture sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera. Crawley won the toss and elected to bat with the start delayed due to traffic congestion issues.
What occurred was a flurry of wickets as a consequence of some good bowling and poor batting. Four of the top five batsmen recorded scores of naught and only Paul Clifford (13) offered any resistance in the middle order before Crawley were eventually dismissed for a score of 67. The eventual top scorer was number 11 Paulo Machado who made a well-compiled 16 given the circumstances and chaos surrounding the cataclysmic collapse Crawley experienced at the hands of the two Rye opening bowlers.
Both Kshermal Waingankar (7 for 30) and Gary Willis (3 for 25) bowled with accuracy and good skill. Although aided by indifferent batting and shot selection, both bowlers should take credit for the skills they demonstrated.
In reply, Rye lost five wickets chasing down the total but any fears of an embarrassing loss were averted by both Dan Seabrook (31) and Spencer Fielding (22 not out). Both players made sound contributions to the total and helping Rye get over the line.
This victory has again left Rye ruing what might have been with a slightly more consistent season, as Crawley look certain to grab the second promotion spot. Rye travel to top of the table Mayfield Saturday August 29 who have already sealed the division four title.
2nd XI
The seconds travelled to Crowhurst Park with only 10 men, players being lost overnight to the tourist industry, as a hot Saturday beckoned. However the 10 men more than matched the challenge of Crowhurst Park. Losing the toss yet again, Rye were invited to bat, and the team sat back in the hot sun and watched their opponents for 53 overs as Rye amassed 289-4 thanks to Neale Hopper 105 and Martin Duffield 115 not out. They shared a 209 run partnership that was a real masterclass, great fun to watch. There was a slight falter when Hopper was dismissed but 14 year old Tobias Farrow, 23 not out, joined Duffield for a sparkling 40 run partnership.
Crowhurst Park replied strongly as John Merrick, 54 and Joe Lovell, 36 put on 96 for the first wicket, thanks in part to the generosity of the Rye fielders. Tom Martin took 2 wickets, and Martin Blincow 2-32, but J.Wilson, 94 and Jon Message, 43 kept Crowhurst Park moving forward Ross Pierce, 3-65, nearly engineered a Rye win, but Crowhurst Park finished on 270-8 meaning the match was drawn. A good performance from the Rye team.
3rd XI
The Rye Thirds only had 9 players because of the Tourist industry, but almost produced an amazing win. Rye scored 107 all out as 15 year old Tom Gasson hit a maiden League fifty. In reply Newhaven Thirds lost 7 wickets for 111 runs as James Smeed took 2-6 off 6 overs and Tony Goodsell took 4 wickets.
This weekend the 1st Xl travel to Mayfield, whilst the 2nds host Mayfield, and the Thirds have a free week. It has been a busy two weeks in the Sussex Junior Cricket Festival for Rye U13s and U16s. The U13s made up primarily of U12s put up good performances despite losing all three fixtures. It was a good learning experience. The U16s equally under aged, won 2 and lost 2, with one loss by only one run. Fin Thomson, and Olly Rhys Jones hit half centuries, and good contributions, too, from Ben Wood and Tobias Farrow. With the ball, James Smeed led the way with 12 wickets.
Photo by Janet Tiltman