Rye travelled to Crawley last Saturday searching for another win to maintain leadership of Division 3 East of the Sussex County League. Rye are being chased by St Peters of Brighton as they go win for win in search of promotion.
Rye won the toss and decided to bat. Skipper Harry Smeed fell for 20, which brought Dan Stickels 101 and Dan Seabrook 100 together as they shared a 200 run partnership for the second wicket. This propelled Rye to 278-4. A late flurry of 24 not out from Luke Payton also contributed to a daunting target.
Crawley Eagles were not daunted however, as they set about chasing down the target. Shakir Hameed 57, and Rehan Hassan 42 took Crawley Eagles to 140-2 and in the game. However the introduction of spin twins Harry Smeed 4-27 and Ben Clifton 4-28, dismissed the Eagles for 193.
Results elsewhere saw St Peters win, so Rye remain 15 points clear as they approach the halfway point of the season this Saturday. Rye entertain Portslade 1st XI at the Rye Cricket Salts, knowing the winning ways need to be maintained.
Rye 2nds continue to struggle as they lost at home to Battle 1sts. Rye invited Battle to bat, and they took full advantage hitting 255-5. In reply Rye were dismissed for 140. Rye were guilty of errors in the field which enabled the Battle batsmen a number of lives. This Saturday the 2nds travel to play Heathfield Park 1st XI.
Rye 3rds are a young team based on developing the Colts. Last Saturday they performed well, but again faced a team with no Colts. Bexhill 4ths amassed 206-4 with Jez Wassell scoring 88. Last season he played in Bexhill 1sts. Johnny Broad took 2-33. In reply Rye 3rds scored 98 all out in 35 overs. 13 year old Tom O’Neill top scored with 16. This Saturday the thirds travel to play Westfield 2nds.
The weather has been a real problem for junior cricket, with the cancellation of practice sessions and matches. July is going to be very busy, playing two games a week for each team, and the softball sessions adding three replacement sessions on July 2/9/16, and the hardball sessions extended into August. Fingers crossed for a drier and warmer July.
Image Credits: Rye News library .