Groundhog Day for beaten Rye

Gary Willis took three wickets in Rye Cricket Club's defeat away to Henfield on Saturday

The batting promised but under-achieved before Rye bowled well and threatened a victory but then fell away.

The detail on all of that was Rye won the toss and elected to bat. Both openers were lost without scoring. The innings slowly recovered, but as before this season, players got in and got out.

Neil Browne fell to a stunning catch for 18, Jackson Woodcock made 14 and Will Wheeler 21. All were scoring quickly, but what Rye desperately need is more consolidation.

Mickey Toomey (21 from 31 balls) and Tommy Nunn (9 not out from 43 balls) showed some of the requisite application. Craig Pierce and Harry Smeed made double figures, but Rye were all out for 123 in just 31.4 overs.

Henfield, who are second in Sussex Cricket League Division Four, got off to a positive start in reply before drifting to 66-4 with Gary Willis taking three wickets.

Henfield opener Fred Stanley made 51 not out, however, as Rye were left to rue the dropped catches which might have influenced the eventual outcome.

Standings (played seven matches unless stated): 1 Steyning 210pts, 2 Henfield 162, 3 Slinfold 140, 4 Wisborough Green 133, 5 Portslade 130, 6 Crawley 112, 7 RYE 84, 8 Hellingly 67, 9 Keymer & Hassocks 66, 10 Lewes Priory 50.