Rye Cricket Club now plays at its highest level ever in the Sussex Cricket League Pyramid – the largest cricket league in the world – and success has been built on a range of factors, and one of the key factors has been the Colts set up, which has ensured a supply of young players reflected by 1st Xl skipper Harry Smeed and his young team, and the large number of youngsters in the 2nds and 3rds.
This season the club would have fielded two U11 teams, an U13 team in the Ashford League, and an U16 and an U18 team in the Sussex Junior Cricket Festival, and last season the Sussex Junior Cricket Festival saw two weeks of enjoyable cricket worth replaying:
“Well done to the under 18s in the Sussex Junior Cricket Festival. Well led by Harry Rhys Jones they lost their first two fixtures, including putting the best performance of the week against the eventual winners of the 12 club competition, Steyning. In the final two games they defeated Burgess Hill by 5 wickets and Eastbourne by 7 wickets.
“A big thank you to John Mackenzie, Paul Payton, Nick Clarke and Chris Ashbee for their support and a big thank you to the 14 players who were a real credit to the club in the manner in which they conducted themselves both on and off the field.
“U16 Sussex Junior Cricket Festival – two games completed. Yesterday v Buxted Park was abandoned due to very heavy rain. Buxted Park were 174-6 off 38 overs. Reece Martin with two wickets, and David Jempson with 3 great catches, one of which matched Joe Denly’s. In reply Rye raced to 44-2 from 8 overs….but it rained again.
“Today Rye won a thrilling victory against Bexhill. Rye posted 241 all out. Luke Payton hit 152 retired. Included 11 sixes, five of which came in one over. Bexhill were dismissed for 218. Spencer Sharkey 4-27 led the way and took an important catch on the boundary. Johnny Broad effected a run out, and it was an all round team effort as all 10 outfield players bowled.
“The U16 Sussex Junior Cricket Festival was completed with a win over Hassocks by 9 wickets and a defeat to Seaford by 7 wickets. Both games saw excellent performances from all team members.
“A big thank you to John Mackenzie, Claire Mackenzie, Paul Payton and Chris Ashbee for ensuring there was transport, umpiring, scoring and refreshments. A big thank you to all the players who were a pleasure to be in their company and their team spirit supporting each other and fully respecting the opposition.”
Image Credits: Rye Cricket Club .