Rye 1st XI hosted, Eastbourne 2nds in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera. It was a clash that if Rye could win, would separate them from the bottom half of Division 3 East, and establish themselves in the table, to provide a platform for the rest of the season.
Rye captain Harry Smeed won the toss and choose to bat. This immediately seemed to be the wrong decision as James Hamilton was out to the first ball of the game, but George Wathen (13) joined Rye Concepts MOM Harry Smeed to build a partnership. From this base Harry Smeed leading from the front struck the ball to all parts of the ground to make a brilliant 130 and along with Luke Payton (36) managed to put on 110 for the third wicket and put Rye in a strong position. Mickey Toomey (28*) pushed the score up in the late stages to 247-9, as Rye secured maximum batting points.
Rye knew at the half-way stage this was a good score and if they bowled and fielded well that Eastbourne would struggle to get close.
The Rye seamers got off to a good start reducing Eastbourne to 31-2, Archie Lenham offered up some resistance making 32 but when he was dismissed and Martin Blincow was introduced into the attack the game was over in an instant. He bowled brilliantly with his leg spin to return figures off 5-15 and along with Clifton who picked up the last wicket and a Mickey Toomey run out, Eastbourne where bundled out for 87, to give Rye a thoroughly convincing win. Rye moved up to 5th in the Division.
Rye 2nds were frustrated for the second week in a row. After last week’s washout at home to Firle, Rye travelled to play Glynde 2nds. Rye batted first and amassed 176-8 off their 40 overs. It was a damp, slow wicket which made batting an effort. John Mackenzie top-scored with 34 and contributions from Mark Cook and Craig Pierce put Rye in a good position. After tea Rye had Glynde 22-1, a Spencer Sharkey wicket, when the heavens opened, so Rye 2nds trudged home, feeling their luck this season must improve soon.
Westfield 2nd XI 99
Rye 3rd XI 103-4
Rye third team made the short journey to face Westfield second team for their latest league fixture and on winning the toss the home side elected to bat first.
Rye made early breakthroughs through the bowling of 15-year-old George Jempson who claimed three wickets to finish with figures of 3-10 from 6 overs, 16-year-old Freddie Mackenzie also claimed an early wicket of Steve Barker (16) to finish with figures of 1-25 as Westfield were reduced to 33-4. Henry Legg and Karim Nanji each looked to steady the innings scoring 10 each before they both fell in quick succession to the bowling of Mike Stoneham (3-25 from 7 overs). Nick Terdre (17 not out) was the only other batsmen to reach double figures with John Josiah (2-10 from 3.5 overs) and 13-year-old David Jempson (1-11 from 6 overs) being the other Rye wicket takers as Westfield were dismissed for 99.
Westfield took early wickets to reduce Rye to 30-3 with Benjamin Hartley-Tunstall Jones claiming figures of 2-27 from 9 overs. A fourth-wicket partnership of 42 took back control for Rye as opener Freddie Mackenzie and 18-year-old Callum Hadaway punished any wayward deliveries before the latter was trapped LBW by Karim Nanji (1-19) having scored 13. Rye reached their target in the 24th over with Freddie Mackenzie finishing on 66 not out.
This Saturday Rye 1st Xl travel to play Crawley Eagles 1st Xl, the 2nds host Tunbridge Wells Borderers 1st Xl and the 3rd Xl host Little Common 3rds at Icklesham.
The Junior fixtures were all washed away last week, except the Under 11s who defeated Ashford Town Under 11s. On Monday the Under 11s host Boughton & Eastwell, the Under 13s host Mersham on Thursday.