The games last Saturday were overshadowed by the sudden death of club member George Jempson, leaving the club deeply saddened. Before all three games a minute’s silence was held. At an appropriate time, the club will seek to find a way to mark the life of one of the kindest young people, who had played for Rye for a number of seasons.
The 1st XI hosted league leaders St Peters on Saturday and inflicted a 73 run defeat and closed the gap at the top of the league as 2nd placed Rottingdean also lost, who visit the Salts next week. Rye made a positive start deciding to bat first. 146-2 with Luke Payton 60 and James Hamilton 37. Then an extraordinary spell of bowling by David Rippengal who took 7-32 as Rye were bowled out for 187 in 42.5 overs.
St Peters reply at 51-1 threatened to take them home, but overseas player Chanuka Dilshan took 2-15 off 9 overs and wickets tumbled to Craig Pierce 3-34, Paul Hitchcott 2-27 and Harry Smeed 2-9. St Peters were all out for 114. This Saturday the 1sts travel to play Glynde who beat Rottingdean, so the end of the season is set up for an interesting race to promotion.
The 2nds made the short journey to play Iden 1sts. Iden batted first and Peter Harris 93 and Rob Clemence 57, sharing a 114 run opening partnership. The Rye bowling was wayward and short, only Martin Blincow 2-26 off 8 overs exerted any control. John Mackenzie with 4-39 at the end of the innings gained Rye valuable points as Iden posted 249-7.
Rye 2nds sought to go after the target but succumbed to far more accurate bowling. Scott Balcombe 33, John Mackenzie 26, Tom Oneill 24 all got starts but never went on. Rye were bowled out for 165 as Paul Barnet took 4-26. This Saturday, Rye 2nds host Seaford 2nds in a match sponsored by the Mermaid Inn.
Rye 3rds beat Robertsbridge 4ths by 139 runs, despite Robertsbridge drafting in 3rd team players who were without a game. Rye batted first and posted 256-5, Ross Pierce 81, Kris Morton 58, Will Morfitt 53 NO and Bradley Harpur 29. In reply Robertsbridge were dismissed for 117 as David Jempson 3-16 and James Archer 3-8 took early wickets and Neil Archer 2-29 finished the job. This Saturday, Rye 3rds conclude their league fixtures away to Sidley 2nds.
Image Credits: Martin Blincow .