1st XI
St James 155, Rye 157 – 8
Rye 1st XI travelled to St James II on Saturday knowing that victory in each of the last three games would result in winning the Divsion 5 East Title. The start to the game was delayed by a squally shower, and on two further occasions the rain interrupted the game, such has been the experience of playing cricket for the past few weeks.
Rye lost the toss, and St James elected to bat. Rye struck two early blows, but experienced players Mike Edmonds (49) and Russell Piper (45) shared a 90-run partnership to take St James to 120 for two. Then, through the spin of Fin Thomson, Rye began to whittle away at the St James batting line up, as Thomson took three for 24, George Wathen three for 36, and the innings was wrapped up by Tobias Farrow with two for 4 as St James were dismissed for 155.
Not a great target, but on a green wicket and overcast conditions, it might prove tricky. And as the innings developed, so it would prove to be. Rye’s innings was held together by Sandun Dias with a calm 50, as he played a controlled innings. At the other end wickets fell to the left-armer Jake Riddell with three for 39. Dias was joined by Dan Seabrook (37) and they took the score to 120 for five before Dias fell. Overs were never an issue, but wickets were, and as the runs accumulated so wickets were lost. Finally Craig Pierce struck the boundary which secured the victory, made all the sweeter as news emerged that rivals Seaford had lost.
Rye are now top of the league by 13 points from Seaford with two games to go. Next Saturday Rye host Seaford in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera, at The Cricket Salts, in what could be a title decider, in a 45-over win-or-lose clash.
2nd XI
Ansty 79, Rye 80 for 2
The 2nds on Saturday hosted Ansty at The Rye Cricket Salts, seeking to get back to winning ways in this match, sponsored by The Mermaid Inn. And they were back to winning ways in some style. Second ball James Smeed dismissed Jonathan Young for 0, one of the top-10 run scorers in the Sussex County League. With three more victims Smeed finished with four for 16 and Ansty were tottering. Supported by Ollie Rhys Jones (two for 23) and Nick Paine (two for 18), Ansty were dismissed for 79.
Rye 2nds made short work of victory in just 16 overs as Senior Claremont schoolboy Sachin Jha hit 38 not out and 14-year-old Luke Payton 20. The game was all over by tea. The 2nds now sit 4th in the Division 6 East League, with the prospect of their highest ever finish in the League Cricket Pyramid. They travel to Haywards Heath this Saturday.
3rd XI
There was no game for Rye Thirds as it was their free week in the league. They travel to Linden Park tomorrow (Saturday August knowing victory is vital if they want to retain hope of gaining promotion, after the results of last Saturday.
Photo: Martin Blincow