Seaford On Top In Last Gasp Drama

Before start of play Seaford enjoyed a 26-point advantage over their nearest challengers, and victory would leave them within sight of a top flight return just two months into the campaign.

Glynde knew how much was at stake and badly needed a win to close the gap on the runaway leaders, but, on a lively wicket, their batsmen were soon in trouble due to some fine bowling from Arthur Jennings and John Smith.

After only seven overs Glynde had been reduced to 27-3. Every time a partnership threatened to develop, Seaford were able to take another wicket and throughout the afternoon no batsman could feel comfortable.

With Paul Mason replacing Jennings the pressure was maintained and Glynde did well to reach 104 - John Smith taking 6-46 and Mason 3-28.

With the pitch still unpredictable, the total looked a challenging one and the Glynde bowlers warmed to their task early on.

With some good fielding Seaford were soon in trouble, being reduced to a calamitous 26-4 after only a dozen overs.

As in the first innings runs were hard to come by, but slowly the score crept up, reaching 58-7 in the 23rd over.

Mason and Jennings stood firm to contribute the crucial stand of 26 for the eighth wicket and from there on in Seaford looked the likely winners until Mason was bowled by Dale Tranter, who took 4-16, with the total on 102.

However, Darren Moore and Richard Beard held their nerve and managed to grab the winning runs in what turned out to be an exciting finish.

* Seaford II lost the toss and were invited to bat first on a green looking wicket in Eastbourne by DPB.

Opening bowlers Booker (3-27) and Rose (2-41) quickly set about the Seaford batsmen, reducing the visitors to 46-4. However, a typically dogged 81 from David Forward, supported by Matt Drury and Andy Pulford, hauled Seaford to the respectable total of 163, while Pretorius bowled with pace and menace to finish with figures of 4-54.

The Seaford response in the field was immediate as the dangerous Neary was dismissed for only two thanks to outstanding work in the field from debutant Kieran Perkins.

Accurate opening spells from Paddy Smith and Ed Jennings (2-29) ensured that the DPB middle order found run scoring difficult.

Brian Broadhurst (3-33) and Matt Drury (2-21) then ensured a home victory was unlikely, but, despite their dominance, Seaford s bowlers were unable to prize out the last man as Pretorius and Rose dug in to reach 112-9.

Published: 5.7.01 Sussex Newspapers Ltd