Rye 1sts made the long road trip to play Cuckfield 2nd XI last Saturday and returned with a victory and 30 points, as they won by 39 runs. Rye batted first and posted 269-7 off 45 overs. It was a good team effort with the bat as five players scored more than 20, Luke Payton 77 and Sharukh Khan 48 the top scorers. Cuckfield came out after tea and went off at a good pace. At 184-4 they were in a good position, but they were reined in by skipper Harry Smeed 3-42, Ben Browning 3-33 and Sharukh Khan 2-32 as Cuckfield were dismissed 226 in the 43rd over. This keeps Rye in 4th place as they welcome Seaford to the Salts next Saturday in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera.
The 2nds lost at home in a match sponsored by the Mermaid Inn, to Eastbourne 3rd XI. It was a game decided by the toss, one which Rye lost, and had to bat first. On a damp wicket and outfield and cloudy skies Rye struggled to 51-1 off 20 overs, and thanks to a late burst with the bat Rye finally reached 149-7 off 40 overs. Ben Clifton scored 36 off 89 balls and top scored. In reply, Eastbourne crawled past the target in the 37th over with only 4 wickets down. During their innings the sun shone and the conditions eased for batting. Gavin Hornby with 44 not out off 74 balls played the key role in their win. James Archer 2-17 produced a good opening spell with the ball. This Saturday the 2nds are in 3rd place, and travel to play Newhaven 1sts.
The 3rds faced Battle at Icklesham in a top of the table clash, and inflicted a first defeat of the season on Battle 2nds. Rye batted first and posted 185-8 off 40 overs. Scott Balcomb 30 top scored but again it was a team effort as four players scored in excess of 20. In reply Battle were dismissed for 40. Jack Wareham-Adams 3-5, Neil Archer 2-5 and Ant Bradnum 2-14 did the damage. This Saturday the two teams clash again, in what is an interesting race at the top of Division 12.
Image Credits: Martin Blincow .