Rye travelled to the far side of Sussex on Saturday June 6 to take on top of the table Slinfold. Having suffered a first defeat of the season the week before, the travellers were eager to bounce back in what was a crucial early season game.
Rye lost the toss and were asked to take first knock on what looked like a decent wicket. They lost Dan Seabrook early to the bowling of Bajan speedster Akeem Jordan. However, despite this early loss both James Hamilton (20) and Kshemal Waingankar (12) moved the score along to 42 and seemed to be setting the foundation for a solid score. However, Hamilton fell in bizarre fashion to a ball that dipped late from Jordan and Waingankar was caught miss timing a pull. What ensued was a batting collapse that has on occasions been all too familiar this season. A procession of wickets fell leaving Rye ruing what might have been on a decent wicket, to be dismissed for a below par total of 105. Only Spencer Fielding offered any resistance with a well compiled 18 in difficult circumstances, pleasing to see given the work he has put in off the field this season. For Slinfold, Akeem Jordan was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 28. He was ably supported by Daniel Graycon who picked up 4 for 19 at the other end.
Despite the low total Rye felt they had a chance as they possess arguably one of the best bowling attacks in the league. Initially, it appeared as though these thoughts may not have been so far-fetched as Gary Willis removed Nabeel Nilamdeen for 6 with an excellent swinging delivery. Waingankar then got amongst the wickets removing Jordan for 3 and Skilton for 7. At this stage Slinfold were rocking at 30 for 3, however, some lusty hitting from Paul Osborne (58 not out) proved to be to much and formed the backbone of the Slinfold innings. Despite the fact that two more wickets were picked up towards the end of the chase, it was always going to be a difficult proposition for the bowlers with such a low total to defend. The pick of the Rye attack was Waingankar with 3 for 36 and Willis with 1 for 31.
The 2nd XI on Saturday entertained Haywards Heath 2nd XI in a match sponsored by The Mermaid Inn. Rye won the toss and the visitors were invited to bat. Ryan Dowdeswell struck with the first ball of the match and again in his next over and Haywards Heath wobbled at 9-2. Billy Blackford bowled a beautiful spell without any luck in support. But through Sham (52) and Amey (45) the visitors fought back. 15 year old Olly Rhys Jones was introduced to the attack and he took 2-27 and the visitors wobbled again on 83-4 but then skipper D. Woodfield controlled the rest of the visitors innings as he reached 66 not out. Rye kept chipping away as Blincow took 2-33 but the runs kept trickling and Dowdeswell returned to finish with 3-31. After 53 overs the visitors finished on 217-8.
The home team began positively as Pete Thomson struck a good looking 50, supported by Tony Cousins (20) and 86-1 was reached, at which point the inexperience of the side shone through as Rye collapsed to 100 all out against the spin of Mathews 3-27 and an incredible 5-1 by C. Amey. This season is a series of lessons for the young side, and for 2/3rds of Saturday’s game they competed.
This Saturday the 1st XI host Southwater CC in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera, the 2nd XI travel to Rottingdean and the 3rd XI travel to Seaford. On Sunday the friendly XI play Beckley.
The Colts season is now starting to take shape. The U11B team defeated Kennington on Monday, the U13 defeated Kennington on Thursday and the U15 were victorious over Great Chart on Tuesday. Next week the U15 host Mersham on Tuesday and the T20 team travel to Crowborough on Wednesday.
Photo by Janet Tiltman