Rye 1st XI v Crawley
Rye travelled to Crawley looking for back-to-back wins after a thoroughly convincing win last time out.
Rye captain Harry Smeed lost the toss and Rye where asked to field, unsurprisingly on a wicket that was very dry, and with a lack of grass it was bound to deteriorate throughout the day.
Ahmed got Rye off to a great start, getting a wicket in the first over. Crawley rebuilt slowly and when the spin off Martin Blincow was introduced, the runs dried up. Blincow looked dangerous, picking up his first wicket but when he was hit by injury Rye turned to man of the match Ben Clifton who bowled with excellent control picking up 2-27 alongside George Wathen (3-35).
James Smeed bowled with excellent accuracy again picking up 1-23 and when Rye had bowled out Crawley for 173 they thought they where in the game but knew it would be a difficult chase on the dry surface.
Rye got off to a terrible start with Harry Smeed out for 1, George Wathen 19 and James Hamilton 11 forged the only real partnership of the entire Rye innings, Rye Concepts MOM Ben Clifton batted well for 15 but with no other batsmen able to reach double figures Rye were bundled out for 77. It’s been a common theme so far this year with Rye bowling and fielding well in each game, but runs have been hard to come by. The team hope to change that this weekend when they host Hastings Priory.
Rye 2nd XI v Tunbridge Wells Borders 1st XI
The seconds produced an all-round performance to beat Tunbridge Wells Borders 1st XI in a match sponsored by The Mermaid Inn. TWB were dismissed for 57 in 27.5 overs. Rye bowled well and fielded tightly, never letting their grip go on the innings. Nick Edwards with 6 top-scored with the bat. Wickets were shared around 5 bowlers, and included two run outs. Victory was sealed in just 12 overs as Rowan Sharkey, 19 not out, top-scored, as Rye raced to an early tea.
Rye 3rd XI v Little Common 3rd XI
Rye third team hosted Little Common thirds for their latest league fixture and on winning the toss elected to field first.
George Jempson made the early breakthrough for Rye as he went on to claim figures of 1-25 from 6 overs, but from this point onwards wickets became more difficult to come by. The introduction of Cieran Sellwood (1-14) claimed the wicket of Ben Atkins (28) before Alex Stone took two quick wickets dismissing James Brightman and Jack Biddiss for 29 and 16 respectively as he finished with figures of 2-40 from 9 overs.
Berwick Smith then looked to find the boundary and increase the scoring on his way to 96 before he fell to the bowling of John Josiah. Nathan Westwood (17) was also dismissed in the same over as Josiah claimed figures of 2-30 from 5 overs. Reece Martin (1-23) claimed the wicket of Perry Holland (11) with Ian Wilson and Steve Brook finishing on 17 not out and 12 not out respectively as Little Common finished on 260-7. The Rye bowlers were supported by three catches by Mike Stoneham.
The target always looked too much for Rye and with Harvey Jack (2-32) claiming two wickets with the score on 6, made the run chase look impossible. Stuart Baker (15) saw the score to 21-4 becoming the only wicket of Steve Brook (1-16). George Jempson looked to steady the innings alongside James Jury before the former was run out for a well-made 25.
Jack Biddiss then claimed two quick wickets including Jury for 12 as he finished with figures of 2-3 from 4 overs. John Josiah and Reece Martin were the only other batsmen to reach double figures as they were undefeated with 13 and 17 respectively. Charlie Hemsley (3-23) was the other Little Common wicket taker as Rye finished on 106-9.
The Under 13s lost at home to Great Chart. Great Chart amassed 157-2 in 20 overs, whilst Rye replied with 127-4, Joseph Kemsley top scored with 30 retired not out. The Under 11s maintained their undefeated record defeating Boughton. Good team performance.
This Saturday, June 29, Rye 1st XI host Hastings Priory 2nds in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera, the 2nds and 3rds travel to Willingdon, where the 2nds play the 1st XI and the 3rds play their opposite number. On Monday the Under 11s host Mersham B, on Tuesday the U15s host Boughton, and on Thursday the Under 13s have a free week. On Friday the club hosts its annual Bat & Trap Competition, with all welcome to enter teams of 6 into the competition.
Image Credits: Rye Cricket Club .