Victory could clinch league title

Rye retained their 36-point lead at the top of the table after all of last weekend's games were washed out. Picture by Simon Newstead

The long-time leaders will cement top spot with 25 points or more in their penultimate game of the Division One season away to local rivals Iden.

The complete washout of last weekend’s programme means that Rye remain 36 points clear of second-placed Newick with 60 still available.

Newick therefore need to score at least six more points than Rye in tomorrow’s matches to ensure that the battle for the title goes down to the final round of fixtures next weekend.

Rye have won 11 of their 15 completed matches so far. One of the four they haven’t won, however, was the reverse fixture against Iden in late June. That day Rye posted 210-4 declared batting first at The Salts before Iden made 173-7 in reply to earn a draw.

Iden also need the points, but for different reasons because they still have work to do to secure their top flight status. James Tree’s side lies just two places and nine points above the two relegation spots, but victory tomorrow would almost certainly keep them up. Play starts at 1pm.

TODAY’S CRICKET FIXTURES

Sussex Cricket League, 1st XI Premier League (11.30): Horsham v Hastings Priory.

1st XI Division 2 (12): Goring-by-Sea v Bexhill; Middleton v Crowhurst Park.

2nd XI Division 1 (12): Bexhill v Chichester Priory Park; Hastings Priory v Horsham.

2nd XI Division 3 (East) (12): Crowhurst Park v Rottingdean.

East Sussex Cricket League (1), Division 1: Iden v Rye.

Division 2: Battle v Willingdon; Robertsbridge v Bells Yew Green.

Division 4: Herstmonceux v Eastbourne III; Maresfield v Little Common Ramblers.

Division 5: Blackboys v Bexhill III; Pett v Heathfield Park II.

Division 6: Hastings Priory III v Stanmer; Willingdon II v Iden II.

Division 7: Hellingly III v Battle II; Rye II v Robertsbridge II; Udimore v Chiddingly II.

Division 8: Bexhill IV v Newhaven II; Glynde & Beddingham III v Herstmonceux II; Little Common Ramblers II v Crowborough II; Seaford III v Burwash Weald.

Division 10: Laughton II v Pett II; Rotherfield II v Crowhurst Park III.

Division 11: Bexhill V v Heathfield Park III; Robertsbridge III v Willingdon III; Sidley v DPB II.

Division 13: Mayfield IV v Rye IV.