Rye through to trophy final

The Salts-based team, which finished fourth in East Sussex Cricket League Division Two, defeated Ringmer, who came fifth in Division One, by 53 runs.

Rye’s passage to the final was in doubt when they were 15-3 after losing the toss, but Gandhi Tandoori man of the match Will Wheeler took the game by the scruff of the neck with a superb 109.

Wheeler shared a 74-run partnership with Dan Seabrook (30), and then 40-run stands with Will Murray (11), Gary Willis (29) and Ed Jury (13) to take Rye to 210-8 off their 40 overs.

Sandun Dias (2-29) and Willis (0-29) ensured Ringmer did not get off to a flying start, and they were backed up by great ground fielding and two superb catches by Craig Pierce and Tommy Nunn.

Nunn himself then bowled well to take 1-31 and in the 28th over Ringmer were 115-3. Martin Blincow took advantage of Ringmer’s need for quick runs by claiming 4-18 in five overs and Murray bagged 3-35 as Ringmer were 157 all out.

Rye will take on Rottingdean in the final at Brookland CC on Saturday from 1pm. Rottingdean came fourth in Division One and reached the national Persimmon Village Cup final at Lord’s.

See Friday’s Rye Observer for a full report and pictures.