Rye Match Report – June 1870

Week 4 of the 2020 league season:

Rye Cricket Club has learnt that a decision about the prospect of league cricket this season starting on July 11 will be made by June 18. The decision will be based on guidance from the government and the English Cricket Board. So this week we revisit a charity match played almost 150 years ago.

The history of Rye Cricket Club is closely allied to that of Rye since the game of cricket first flourished in Sussex and Kent in the 1700s. Rye has traced its origins to 1754, but there exists evidence of cricket being played in 1744, at the club’s first ground by Camber Castle.

This week’s match report reflects the links between cricket and the community of Rye. On June 9 1870 Rye Laymen played against Clergy and Others at the then named “Middle Salts”, which we know today as the Rye Cricket Salts.

The match was in aid of one of the church charities, and was attended by a large concourse of spectators, which included the leading people of Rye and neighbourhood. An afternoon tea was also given.

Rye Laymen
E.Frewen c Crump b Biron 25
G.Henbrey c and b Biron 36
J S Parkin c Crump b Biron 0
J S Udal c Biron b Crump 99
H.Straham b Biron 19
T J Parker c Barff b A.Parker 29
G.Burgess st T.Parkin b Crump 8
H.Bush lbw b A.Parker 4
H. Quartermain b Crump 2
H P Burra b Crump 3
R.Vidler not out 1
Extras 17
Total 243

Clergy and Others
Rev. H T Barff c Henbrey b Frewen 15
Rev J Madgelene b Frewen 11
A. Parker run out 11
H J Parker c Vidler b Frewen 12
T Parkin b Burgess 26
Rev H B Biron c and b T J Parker 17
Rev C H Crump b TJ Parker 0
F M Millard not out 4
Rev H Parker not out 2
Rev J Lockington Bates DNB
Rev S W Thomas DNB
Extras 10
Total 108

This match report from “Rye & Winchelsea Notes” was followed by a verse by H P Burra of Springfield Place:

“No doubt you’ll have seen on the Middle Salts Green of our antient town of Rye
How all played in time, that glorious ninth of June ( I wish it had been July)
Our vicar was in pluck, but not quite in luck, as you see by the score card by
The Laymen went in first, they didn’t send their worst in first in Messrs Henbrey and Frewen
Rather loose was the bowling, and the ball was always rolling, but still the gallant two were in
Before the pair were parted, the parsons were broken hearted to see the game going to ruin.”

Henry Burra was clearly enjoying his Victorian sledging. In 1870 Burra was the treasurer of Rye Cricket Club and during 1870 he paid for the raising of the river bank and the levelling of the Salts. This ensured the ground was no longer inundated by the tide. He was to become mayor of Rye in 1880. His family name and that of his house, can be found in street names in Rye.

Image Credits: Rye C.C. .