Rye 1st XI travelled to Seaford on Saturday in their fourth game of the Sussex Cricket League division 4 campaign. Upon winning the toss, skipper Gary Willis elected to field on a pitch that looked like it would lend assistance to the bowlers throughout the day.
Rye struck early with Hugo Nel removing Stanyard for 0 to a well held catch behind the stumps. Nel then had Seaford skipper Oliver Smith well caught at first slip for 6, to leave Seaford 30 for 2 after 8 overs. Although wickets fell in regular phases throughout the early overs of the Seaford innings, Thomas Date held things together with some selective but aggressive stroke play.
Date managed to take the score along to 119 before he fell to the bowling of Fin Thomson for a well-made 84 runs. 119 for 5 soon became 130 for 6 after skipper Willis (1 wicket for 57 runs) removed Jayamanne for a duck. Harry Smeed then got in on the act as he returned more than respectable figures of 2 wickets for 41 runs from 14 overs. However, despite this, Seaford were still able to post a more than competitive total of 219 for 8 from their allotted 53 overs. Nel was the pick of the Rye attack with 4 wickets for 58 runs from 15 overs.
After the tea interval, Rye were confident of chasing down the total given the strength of their batting line up. However, they were dealt an early blow, as both openers were removed for single figure scores on a pitch that had started to prove unpredictable. Nel’s form with the ball then transpired into form with the bat as he started to hit the ball to all parts of the ground; he was ably supported by Fin Thomson as the pair added 45 runs for the 4th wicket.
However, with the removal of Thomson for 26, Rye found themselves 125 for 4 with 20 overs to go in the game. A procession of Rye players came and went, as Nel struggled to find a regular partner in the pursuit of the total.
With Rye chasing the game, a number of players fell to the slow bowling of Chris Stanyard (5 wickets for 27 runs) as a procession of players proceeded to chip the ball back to the bowler. Rye went into the last over 9 wickets down and unable to win the game. Nel then proceeded to bat out for the draw to finish with a well made 94 not out to leave Rye on 195 for 9.
It would be understatement to say that this season has been a frustrating one for Rye thus far, as every game they have played could have potentially ended up with victory. They hope to put this right on Saturday June 4 against league leaders Rottingdean at the Salts.
The 2nd XI this season have been profligate with their batting, scoring at 4 runs per over, but losing wickets at a similar rate. On Saturday they fared no better with the bat. Losing the toss again, they were inserted and failed to bat the 53 overs, in fact managing only 38. The stand out innings was from number 3 Ian Hopper who was undefeated on 71, as he ran out of partners, as Rye finally reached 160 all out. Only Spencer Fielding (21) offered any real support. For Seaford, leg spinner Oli Carter took 6 wickets for 59 runs off 12 overs.
Rye’s bowling was tight without being penetrative on another good Salts wicket. Jack Dudley took an early wicket, but lapses in the field saw Seaford move slowly to 75-1 thanks to John Reynolds (36 runs) and Ben Brown (36 run). Martin Blincow, 1 wicket for 30 runs off 11 overs and Ross Pierce, 2 wickets for 43 runs, saw Seaford stutter, Blincow finding hang time to take a one handed catch, but then Seaford carried on cautiously to pass 160, to win by 5 wickets in the 48th over. Rye needs to take far greater care of their wickets, if they are to maximize their potential, and the hard work and skill of their bowling.
The 3rd XI had a free week in the League, but still remain top of Division 12. The U15s narrowly lost to Great Chart, whilst the U17s lost their opening game against Boughton. The U13s defeated Mersham in another busy week for the Colts.
This Saturday Rye 1st XI host Rottingdean, in a match sponsored by My Sweet Old Etcetera, 1pm start at The Rye Cricket Salts. The 2nds make the reverse journey to Rottingdean, whilst the 3rd XI host St. Peters 5th XI at Icklesham. On the evening of Friday June 3, the U17s travel to Great Chart, on Tuesday June 7 the U15s host Mersham, and on Thursday June 9 the U11s host Wye.
Photo: Janet Tiltman