Archer and Haines steal the show as Horsham pull clear

Bexhill v Horsham cricket action - Bexhill celebrate taking the wicket of James Johnson SUS-160530-141838002

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Jofra Archer and Tom Haines stole the show as Horsham opened up a 27-point lead at the top of the Premier Division.

The pair hit more than 200 runs between them as their side recorded a 183-run victory away at the Polegrove over Bexhill.

Having dodged the bad weather, the visitors won the toss and opted to bat and set about making 276 in 54.3 overs.

Joe Ludlow (one) and Craig Gallagher (nought) were both caught by Will Edwards off Aidan Booker’s bowling to leave the score on 3-2.

Bexhill v Horsham cricket action - Horsham batsman Michael Thornely is bowled SUS-160530-141912002

Will Beer (13) soon followed, before Haines set about making 81 which captain James Johnson described as a ‘match-winning’ innings.

He was on 18 with the total at 36-3 and when dismissed three-wickets later, his 81 from 138 balls had taken the score to 229.

That included a 145-run partnership with Archer, who smashed a staggering 128 from 78 balls with 14 fours and eight sixes. There were small cameos from Michael Tornely (14), Johnson (15) and Michael Munday (12*).

While, with the ball, Bexhill’s Joe Cox claimed 5-63 from his ten overs.

Bexhill v Horsham cricket action - Bexhill celebrate taking the wicket of Will Beer SUS-160530-141826002

In reply, Brooker’s 25 proved the top score, with Will Edwards adding 20 and James Walker 19.

David Croshaw (2-31)profited from two early wickets, before Archer (2-18) got in on the act.

It was then the spinners that skittled the lower order, Munday claiming his usual haul. He finished with an impressive 4-21 from six overs as Bexhill could only muster 93 in their reply as they were all out in the 28th over.

Horsham lead second-placed Cuckfield by 27 points, both having played five games, and Bexhill in third by 35 points, who have a game in hand.

Skipper James Johnson was pleased to not only see a good all-round team performance but other result go there way at the weekend.

He said: “We were in a little bit of bother early on as it was a tough pitch to bat on.

There was not very much pace on it, but that suited Jofra as he hits the ball hard and does not need pace on the ball, he generates it with how hard he swings his bat.

“Tom Haines’ innings was very good and we needed at the time he did it. Jofra was outstanding, but that’s not to take anything away from Tom - it was very much a match-winning innings. It’s just the beauty of having a good side - Jofra batted down at seven.

“David Croshaw bowled nicely and I was pleased to see him doing so. It’s quite pleasing as he is a young boy and has not played much first team cricket. Jofra was very tidy on a pitch that didn’t suit him. Tom had a good spell and the rest was left to Michael (Munday) and Will (Beer).

“ A couple of results have gone our way this weekend, it helps us out, which is quite nice.”

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