Bexhill's table-top tumble continues

The Polegrove outfit topped the Sussex Division Two table after remaining unbeaten from their first five matches.

But three straight defeats since then have seen them drop to fourth, some 42 points off the pace being set by an impressive Cuckfield outfit.

And Saturday's loss, as captain Steve Phillimore admitted, was the most disappointing of the trio of setbacks. Reverses against second-placed St James' Montefiore and Cuckfield were perhaps forgivable, but a 101 run drubbing at the hands of a previously winless side would have given more cause for concern.

The root of Bexhill's problems at the moment seems to be in the batting. They've failed to reach 170 in their last three innings and just three players, and the same three at that, have got into double figures in their last two games. Of the other eight batsmen, none have reached nine on any of the last three occasions they've stepped out to the middle. They're getting bowled out in quick time too, and they lasted just 36.1 overs against St James.

The main exception to this, of course, is Jesse Lewis, and the Australian was again in top form as he got the Bexhill innings off to a blistering start with 47 off 35 balls, taking his tally to 293 in five innings, during which time he has been dismissed only three times.

"He batted really well again," Phillimore continued, "and it was proper cricket. He started like a train and I was confident then."

Ironically, though, Lewis' brilliance actually brought about the end of John Holland, who was cruelly run out when a straight drive was deflected onto the stumps. The rot set in thereafter and only Neil Blatchly (32) and last man Steve Jenner (16 not out) who made any impression.

The Bexhill bowlers, barring Chris Topp (4-70) who made it 21 wickets for the season, didn't do much either as Nick Walters (36), Richard Eborn, who compiled his first Sussex League hundred, Michael Murray (47), Suran Perera (23) and Sher Khan (30 not out) all made hay.

"Our bowling was disappointing," added Phillimore. "We bowled too many bad balls and we didn't make them work for their runs."