The 1st Xl beat Crawley by 83 runs and now are in fourth place in Division 4 of the Sussex Cricket League. This was the first game this season when the Rye side finally fired on all cylinders in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera.
Rye lost the toss yet again and batted first. Rye lost two early wickets but 21-year-old Barbadian Neil Browne 83 joined by stalwart Mark Cook 48 set about demolishing the Crawley attack. They compiled a 100-run partnership in good time to put Rye in the ascendancy. Unlike similar opportunities this season, Rye did not crumble, but instead built on the platform as Will Wheeler 20, Jake Bryant 26 not out and Gary Willis 17 not out saw Rye through to 235-6 declared in 51 overs.
Crawley’s response was positive as Harry Chaudary 32 set about the Rye attack. But with his dismissal on 72-2, it became the Harry Smeed show as the 17-year-old single handedly removed the Crawley batting line up. Only Farhan Mirza 48 had any answers to the questions posed by Smeed. His 11.4 overs brought a return of 8-56. He was well supported by a series of outstanding catches, especially those of Jo Lovell and Jake Bryant, to round off an excellent team performance.
Rye 2nd Xl made the reverse trip to Crawley and won the toss and invited Crawley to bat. Ryan Dowdeswell struck immediately, but this only brought Anuj Nagpal 41 to the wicket. He made the most of the slow tennis ball bounce to play a series of extraordinary leg side strokes. However, the introduction of 18-year-old spinner Ben Clifton brought immediate effect as Jack Dudley took a good catch. Clifton then wheeled away for 14.5 overs to take 7-22. His bowling partners struggled at the other end, but Crawley fell apart from 116-4 to 132 all out in just 36 overs. It was the Ben Clifton show as he was soon at the crease at the fall of the first wicket. Peter Thomson led the way with a beautifully struck 42. Clifton with 35 provided solid support. Although Thomson was bowled, it brought Spencer Fielding to the wicket and he hit a quick fire 38 not out and although Clifton was run out, an all-run four by Tony Cousins saw Rye home in just 25 overs. It was Rye’s seventh victory of the season and sees Rye sit in third place in Division 3 East of the Sussex Cricket League.
Rye 3rd Xl eased to a 7 wicket victory over Marsefield 2nds. Maresfield scored 181-8 thanks to Stuart Chappell 54. For Rye it was Nick Paine 2-24, Mick Stoneham 3-34 and Tom Barling Gasson 2-27 who did the damage. In reply it was 19-year-old Ed Jury who almost single-handedly defeated Maresfield. He struck a fantastic 109, hitting 14 fours and 3 sixes. Supported by Phil Wheeler 38 they saw Rye home in just 35 overs. It leaves the thirds lying in 4th place in Division 10.
The 4th Xl triumphed over Hellingly 4ths by 4 wickets. Rye bowled Hellingly out for 130 thanks to 17-year-old Ollie Melford 3-24 and 14-year-old James Smeed 3-9. Hellingly were thankful to John Ottley 36 and Giles Hook 40 who shared a 70-run sixth wicket partnership. Rye eased to victory by 4 wickets thanks to the experienced Dennis Pearce 39 and 15-year-old Joe Fraser 26.
This week the 1st Xl will be intent on pushing on to make it three wins in a row when travelling to Keymer and Hassocks. The 2nd XI host Keymer and Hassocks in a match sponsored by Tibbs Farm, the 3rd XI travel to Crowhurst Park 3rd XI and the 4th XI host Bells Yew Green 4th XI.
Photo Dan Lake