Rye faced local rivals Sorrento in a blockbuster Round 10 clash of the 2010/2011 MPCA Provincial Shield. With both sides sitting equal on points going into the clash, the match held even more importance. The winner would still be a finals chance, whilst the looser would have their season effectively ended.

Sorrento won the toss, and as expected sent Rye into bat on a slow, lush R.J Rowley Reserve surface that in recent times has been more suited to football than cricket. The early wickets of Corey Harris (2) and Beau Suffern (3) left the Demons in early strife at 2/14, with the resurrection task left to Justin King and Travis Sawers. The pair combined for a 43-run third wicket partnership before the Skipper fell for 24.

Ben Ashworth (22) and King returned a 32-run partnership, with the wicket of Ashworth falling with the score on 89. Kingy was the main-stay of the innings, but when he fell for 30, the Demons were 5/94, with the job well and truly ahead of the middle order batsman.

5/94 became 6/94 when Aaron Vernon went for 4, and when keeper-batsman Andrew Hitchiner was caught for 3, the hosts were reduced to 7/98 and in deep trouble. Tom Barrand provided some resistance, compiling a well-made 18, but with his wicket followed those of Mick (7) and Andrew Dunn (0), and the hosts were all out for 122.

So a low target to defend for the Demons, but one that left the win not out of the question on such a slow surface, and with the fact the Travis Sawers was able to gain an early breakthrough, as Sorrento had to negotiate 4 overs before stumps were drawn on day 1.

The Sorrento batsman threw the bat early on day 2, and with some luck raced along to 3/70. Andrew Dunn got a wicket with his first ball and finished with 2/26, but some late wickets were not enough for the Demons, with Sorrento passing the target 6 wickets down. Travis Sawers (1/20), Justin King (1/31), Beau Suffern (1/17) and Gary Richardson (1/3) shared the other wickets.

The visitors declared at 7/131, which allowed some late season batting practice for Justin King (42) and Aaron Vernon (18n.o).

So a finals appearance in their first year in Provincial Cricket is now out of reach for Rye, with the Demons travelling to Heatherhill next weekend to finish off the year.

After starting the season with 3 straight losses, the Second XI went into their Round 10 clash at Sorrento knowing a win would put them within striking distance of steeling yet another finals appearance.

It was an important toss the win, with the windy conditions coupled with a slow ground suiting the bowling side on day 1. But, Troy Harris called incorrectly and the home side sent the Demons in.

Wickets fell regularly in the early stages of Rye’s innings, and at 5/38 the Demons were ruing the fact that their skipper messed the toss up! Craig Hosking (3) and Simon Jones were able to combine for the biggest partnership of the innings (33) during the middle stages, before Hosking’s wicket made it 6/71.

At 9/105 Jones was joined by young number 11 Harris Wilson, with the pair able to negotiate 7 overs and score 14 valuable runs to get the target up to a respectable 119. Jones finished 64n.o.

An early wicket was vital for the Demons, with Sorrento having to face out 6 overs before stumps, but unfortunately the home side’s openers were able to get through without trouble.

Sorrento raced out of the blocks early on day 2, with the game having a lot of similarities to the 1st XI game being played back at Rye. At 2 for 66, the home side seemed to be cruising, but excellent bowling from Harris Wilson (3/33) and Joel Lynch (2/28) meant Sorrento stumbled over the line, eventually passing the total 7 wickets down.

At stages, the Demons were almost in a winning position, but their 119 total proved to be just short of a winning one. The 2nds host Heatherhill next week in their final hit-out for season 2010/2011.

The 3rd XI were celebrating their 3rd win of the season on Saturday night after accounting for Carrum Downs at Stringers. Jason Ellul won the toss and inserted the visitors, with the Rye boys doing the job for the skipper, dismissing Carrum Downs for 197 within 53 overs. The wickets were shared amongst the bowlers, with Ben Hitchiner (2/43), Rick Graham (2/41), and Dean Collins (2/35) all claiming 2 scalps. Joe Velastro continued his impressive all round form, returning figures of 2/5 from his 2-over spell.

The Demons raced to 3/98 by stumps on the back of some impressive hitting from Ben Hitchiner, Dean Collins and Jason Ellul (22).

Collins and Hitchiner continued to punish the visitors bowling early on day 2, with the pair combing for an 85-run 4th wicket partnership. Deano made 55, and Hitch helped himself to 65, as Rye eventually passed the 197 winning target. Rick Graham (24), Luke Sullivan (14n.o) and Max ‘bundy bear’ Patton (13) were also valuable contributors in the run chase.