Rye 1st XI v Lordswood 1st XI
Rye 145, Lordswood 271
Rye travelled to Lordswood in their first of two pre-season friendlies. They lost the toss and were asked to field on a surprisingly good batting surface considering the recent weather. Rye opening bowlers Cleon Reece and Tobias Farrow started well and in his first game for the club, Reece quickly picked up two wickets to leave Lordswood 23-2. Rye captain Harry Smeed kept the bowling changes coming so every bowler was given an opportunity in this first friendly fixture. Spencer Sharky on his first-team debut was outstanding and giving nothing to the opposition batsmen to hit, finishing with great figures of 0-20 off 6 overs. Wathen bowled well and picked up two wickets alongside Smeed (3-63) and Thomson (1-34) which kept the wickets falling, and when Reece returned to pick up a further two wickets the innings was over. Rye were on top for most of the innings until the number 10 Taylor-Chandler blasted 57 off only 23 balls to take the game back to Lordswood. The total finished at 271.
Rye knew that this was going to be a difficult chase but were hoping it would give a good opportunity for the batsmen to spend time at the wicket, however they never looked like chasing the score down at any stage. Thomson (27) and Wathen (25) spent valuable time at the crease, Seabrook who looked in magnificent form made 23 before pulling up with a hamstring injury, the team hope he has a speedy recovery with the league campaign starting in only a few weeks. Spencer Fielding also got a start with 30 but no one else really got going and the score ended at 145 all out. Captain Smeed said: “We never like losing but these first two pre-season games are all about getting back on the field and spending time with bat and ball in hand so we can set ourselves up for a big season in the league and hope for a title push.” The man of the match (sponsored by Concept) was Cleon Reece on debut, with 4 wickets.
Rye 2nd XI v Hawkinge 1st XI
Rye 164 – 6, Hawkinge 166 – 6
Rye 2nd eleven travelled away to Hawkinge for a pre-season friendly. Unfortunately, on arrival Rye captain, Ben Clifton lost the toss and Rye were put into bat by Hawkinge. Rye got off to a steady start, led by the opening pair of Ellis Hatter and Luke Payton. Hatter found the boundary regularly and Rye reached 40 before the loss of Payton for 5. Hatter fell for 48 with the score on 72 and from then onwards Rye accumulated steadily on a good early-season pitch. Harry Stafford came in at 6 and notched up 38 not out, playing a range of good strokes and finding the boundary regularly. Rye reached 164-6 off the allotted 40 overs with the 9 players they had. They then took to the field knowing early wickets would be needed. They reduced the opposition to 27-3, George Channon taking 2 early wickets with some good seam bowling, the other wicket was inflicted by a run out by Elise Jorgensen. Nick Paine struck to make it 44-4 then Hawkinge’s number 6, Hallsett compiled a blockbuster 56. Hawkinge eventually knocked off the runs 6 wickets down. Jorgensen took the other wicket with a good spell of off spin. Up next for Rye is Ashford at the Salts in the last pre-season friendly before the league season starts.
This Friday evening, April 27, Rye is holding its Annual Signing On Night. It is the first social event of the season, and an opportunity for members to meet overseas player Cleon Reece. The Sidney Allnutt Pavilion will be open from 7:30pm onwards, with a bar available. All ages are welcomed to join Rye Cricket Club. This season the club will be running U9 / U11 / U13 / U15 teams, three Saturday League XIs and a Midweek Friendly team.
On Saturday the 1st XI travel to Ashford Town, whilst the 2nd XI host Ashford Town 2nd XI. Next Wednesday is the final indoor coaching session for the Colts, the adults will be using the outdoor nets at The Salts at 6-8pm. On Thursday the Colts season starts with the U13s travelling to Egerton. On Friday May 4 the outdoor Colts coaching starts at The Rye Cricket Salts with rimary school-aged boys and girls at 6-7pm and secondary school-aged boys and girls at 7-8pm.
Photo: Harry Smeed