Rye 1st XI brought the curtain down on their season with an exciting 16 run defeat away to Hellingly. The points accrued from the game saw Rye finish 4th in Sussex County League Division 4, the highest finish ever in the Sussex Cricket pyramid structure. This was a notable achievement for a team based in one of the smallest communities in the league.
Rye bowled first after Hellingly won the toss and decided to bat. Early inroads were made with Hellingly reaching only 39 runs for 2 wickets, and then the innings was dominated by overseas player Layton MaCan who hit 101 runs not out off 134 balls. He received some support, but Gary Willis with 3 wickets for 53 runs and Harry Smeed 2 wickets for 93 runs, applied some checks as Hellingly reached 209 runs for 7 wickets off their 53 overs. Rye’s response was very positive as Hugo Nel 84 runs and Dan Seabrook 33 runs put together a 94 run opening partnership. Despite the dismissal of Seabrook, Rye were well placed at 154 runs for 3 wickets. However then problems came. Mickey Toomey was called away by work so could not bat, and Rye collapsed to 165 runs for 8 wickets. Stubborn resistance from Willis 21 runs and Craig Pierce 8 runs took Rye to 194 runs before Willis was dismissed.
The end of the season is always tinged with sadness as Hugo Nel returned to South Africa on Monday after a successful season as the 4th highest run scorer in the County League, and Harry Smeed prepares to return to Melbourne for a second winter to continue his cricketing education, as an overseas player for Port Melbourne CC. Already though Rye CC is preparing for 2017, with Indoor Coaching commencing on February 14, and further plans to develop the pavilion and ground at the Rye Cricket Salts.
Rye 2nds finished the season in style with victory over Hellingly, but not before another switchback ride of a game. Rye batted first making steady progress as Neale Hopper hit 41 runs and Martin Duffield 24 runs. Poised at 102 runs for 3 wickets, the 2nds contrived again to throw away a strong position, as Rye slumped to 110 runs for 8 wickets. Martin Blincow 24 runs and James Smeed 11 runs not out batted to good effect as Rye finally reached 149 all out in the 50th over. Joe Hook 5 wickets for 56 runs was the pick of the Hellingly bowlers. Rye struck off the first ball of the Hellingly innings, as James Smeed took an outstanding full length catch and that pressure was maintained as Hellingly subsided to 56 runs for 6 wickets. However skipper Andy Rose 37 runs had other ideas and Ross Pierce, 90 runs for 7 wickets dismissed him after a swashbuckling innings. Then Michael Williams 27 runs not out steered the Hellingly tail, but a good stumping by Tim Brownbill secured victory as Paine, Smeed, Pierce and Blincow finished with 2 wickets apiece. It has been a tough season for Rye 2nds but many youngsters have gained valuable experience, especially James Smeed.
On Saturday evening over 70 people attended the Rye CC Awards evening, where the 2016 season was celebrated. Key Awards were given to the 4 Colts teams, Player of the Year Awards were presented to 1st XI Harry Smeed / 2nd XI Spencer Fielding / 3rd XI Luke Payton. Club Awards: Mike Thomas Trophy to Tobias Farrow, Fullerton Cup to Harry Smeed, Clubman of the Year to James Jury and Most Improved Wicket in County League to Jackie Clifton.
The Sidney Allnutt Pavilion will remain open this winter as Rye Town FC bring football back to Rye. Rye CC and Rye Town FC have agreed to work in partnership to develop the facilities at the Rye Cricket Salts for the mutual benefit of the community. The first stage is to ensure that by 2019 the pavilion is developed to meet modern standards, as agreed with Rother DC. We are all looking forward to Saturday September 17 which is the first home game.
Photo: Kenneth Bird