Cricket season finds Rye on a high

Much work has been undertaken at The Rye Cricket Salts to prepare for the 2021 season.
They're ready to roll at Rye CCThey're ready to roll at Rye CC
They're ready to roll at Rye CC

It’s included wicket rolling, sightscreen preparation, disabled toilet upgrading, more accessible stepped entrances being installed, renewal of the artificial wicket, and the installation of a public facing defibrillator.

Rye CC entertained Crowhurst Park in the first of three pre-season friendlies last Saturday. Tomorrow they host Cowdrey and on Sunday May 2 they face Linden Park.

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The second Xl start with a friendly on May 1 away to Hythe, and the third Xl begin the same day with a league fixture versus Crowhurst Park fourths.

Rye enter the season with a strengthened squad. Over the winter the club have managed to sign several new players for 2021.

Dan Stickels is a top order batsmen who has represented Kent second XI. He has won the Kent Premier league with Hartley CC on several occasions. He is an experienced coach and runs Southern Spartans for Kent CCC.

Reuben Collingwood is a seam bowling all-rounder having previously played at Tenterden, while Fred Smith is a batsman who was previously with Sissinghurst CC

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Brent Hildebrand is young leg spinner with a lot of potential. He was part of the Southern Spartans area squad last year. In addition, Freddie Mackenzie has rejoined the club from Iden.

Turnout at pre-season practice has been very positive despite the cold.

The start of the season will still see restrictions on the use of the clubhouse, but club officials say it will be good to meet members again.

RYE COLTS

ECB guidance allows Rye Colts to return to cricket practice and matches from the beginning of May.

There are a number of opportunities to join in.

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Softball cricket: Rye CC is a centre for two national schemes run by the ECB, namely:

Allstars Cricket: This is designed for five to nine-year-olds. The cost is £40, and it will be at The Rye Cricket Salts from Friday May 7 (6-7pm) for eight weeks. See www.ecb.co.uk/play/all-stars

Cricket Dynamos: This is for eight to 11-year-olds. The cost is £40 and it will also be at The Salts on Fridays from May 7 but at 7-8pm, also for eight weeks. See www.ecb.co.uk/play/dynamoscricket

Hardball cricket: Rye will be offering competitive cricket at three age groups. There will be two U11 teams, plus U13 and U15 sides. They will compete in the Ashford & District Junior Cricket League. Matches to begin after May 17. Practice sessions take place on Tuesdays – 6-7pm for U11s, 7-8pm U13s and U15s. The overall cost is £60 . Contact Martin Blincow on [email protected] to sign up for hardball cricket.

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The Junior Season will be brought to a conclusion on Friday August 6 as part of Rye Cricket Week with an afternoon of cricket followed by presentations and a barbecue.

Off the field Rye CC has secured funding to install a new artificial cricket wicket on The Salts. The original wicket was laid in 1983.

They are planning for the refurbishment to take place this month. It will offer additional practice capacity for the colts.

RYE v CROWHURST PARK

Rye Cricket Club got off to a positive start to the season Saturday with an 18 run victory over Crowhurst Park.

On a sunny day, Rye batted first.

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Despite the early loss of skipper Harry Smeed, the batsmen took advantage of the good wicket.

New signing Dan Stickells hit 46, James Hamilton 56 and young Luke Payton scored 47.

Late flurries from Dan Seabrook (13no) and Tobias Farrow (23no) saw Rye to 248-5 off 40 overs.

The Park bowlers took a wicket apiece with Bradley Payne 1-26 the best.

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In reply Crowhurst Park got close to the Rye target with a final score of 228-8.

Their innings was built around knocks of 86 by Payne and 46 by Tim Hambridge.

Craig Pierce with 4-28 was the pick of the Rye bowlers, supported by James Smeed 2-32 and Harry Smeed and Brent Hildebrand with one apiece.

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