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.