Rye defeated in opener

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Rye travelled to Horntye Park for a friendly against Hastings Priory on Saturday April 18 to open up the 2015 cricket season. With Priory sitting two divisions above Rye it was always going to be a tough proposition to overturn their close neighbours in a 40 overs per side contest. Rye were missing several players, including overseas player Keshemal Waingankar, who still has playing commitments in India.

Rye lost the toss and were asked to field first and Priory made steady progress moving along at five an over in the first 10 overs for the loss of only one wicket. However, during the middle overs Priory increased the pace of scoring with overseas player Colley (41) punishing anything short and wide. He was ably supported by Jed O’Brian (60 not out); together they moved priory into a strong position by the 30 over mark. But some sound bowling from Craig Pierce (3-39) and Jack Dudley (2-31) limited Priory to 216 off their 40 overs.

Rye’s reply started badly losing James Hamilton to a catch behind in the first over, and things didn’t improve as Ben Clifton fell for (17). However, both Mark Cook (41) and Dan Seabrook (42) moved Rye in to a position where a win was distinct possibility. With the loss of Seabrook, Joe Lovell came to the crease and made a competent 30 shepherding the tail, but time ran out and Rye ended up falling 32 runs short. All in all it was a decent performance by a Rye side with ambitions of gaining promotion from SPCL Div 4 this summer.

Both batsmen and bowlers executed their skills well, with the fielding being the main area requiring improvement. Given that there are key players to return to the first team, things bode well for the Salts-based club this summer. This Saturday April 25 Rye travel to Glynde and Beddingham in a 40 overs per side friendly.

This Friday evening, April 24, the club is hosting its Signing on Night, combined with the official opening of the renamed Sidney Allnut Pavilion. The club has acquired a 99-year lease on the pavilion and is planning on making it a community focused resource. A number of local sports organisations have already expressed an interest to get involved. The club plans to develop a “Friends of The Sidney Allnut Pavilion” group who will raise the funds to support the running and development of the building. Potential users of the pavilion are welcome to pop in for a drink.

So any budding cricketers, of any age, are welcome to come along and join in – especially young cricketers as the club offers teams at Under 9 / Under 11 / Under 13/ Under 15 / Under 17, with a coaching programme on Friday evenings starting May 1 at The Rye Cricket Salts, 6-7pm for Primary Aged and 7-8pm for Secondary aged. The programme is run by ECB qualified coaches and by Rye’s overseas player Kshemal Waingankar, a player with extensive first-class cricket experience, having taken five wickets against England, including those of Pietersen and Strauss.

The two Under 11 teams get under-way on Monday at The Salts at 6pm as the A team play the B team in the Ashford Junior Cricket League.

If you are interested in joining the club or can offer time to help out please email Martin Blincow on blincsfamily@aol.com

Photo: Janet Tiltman

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