On Saturday, April 26 Rye got their season underway with a friendly against Staplehurst. The Rye team was a mixture of 1sts / 2nds / 3rds, made up of regular attendees to winter nets. Rye batted first on a wicket which proved two-paced, a result of a dry spring and the challenge of rolling a wicket with little moisture to work with. New signing Hugh Leeson-Smith batted well for 67, Skipper Harry Smeed stroked 37, but failed to get support as Rye finished on 155-9 off 40 overs.
In reply Staplehurst got off to a flyer as George Perry hit 51 and Tom Davey 44 not out. But like the Rye innings as the ball got soft runs came hard to score as Staplehurst squeezed home by 2 wickets with 16 balls to spare. Harry Smeed 2-6 the pick of the bowlers.
This Saturday, May 3 a Rye 1st XI travel to play Tenterden and a 2nd XI travel to play Robertsbridge in friendlies, before the start of the Sussex County League season on May 10.
The previous night Rye held its junior signing on night, and the delayed awards evening for 2024. The images below show the four winners of the coaches award. Both were successful as Rye’s junior season starts on Monday, May 5 as the U11A team travel to Mersham, on Tuesday, May 6 the U16s host Ashford, training on Wednesday night, May 7 and the U13s host Ashford on Thursday May 8.
The softball sessions start on Sunday, May 11 at the Salts. To sign up contact Martin Blincow on blincsfamily@aol.com or 07535 482006, an ideal way to get into cricket and the perfect way to spend a Sunday morning.
Image Credits: Rye Cricket Club , Martin Blincow .