Bexhill beaten by new leaders

Cameron Burgon top-scored with the bat for Bexhill in their defeat away to new Sussex Cricket League leaders East Grinstead

Bexhill were unable to follow up the previous weekend’s victory over Three Bridges as they went down by six wickets away to East Grinstead and fell back to the foot of the table as a result.

A lack of runs with the bat has often been Bexhill’s downfall so far this season and the problem resurfaced as the visitors were all out for 95 in 43.1 overs after choosing to take first knock.

Just four Bexhill batsmen made it to double figures, Cameron Burgon top-scoring with 24. Dean Crawford (18), Tim Hambridge (15) and Johnathan Haffenden (14) were the next highest contributors as Bradley Hatchett took 5-27 from 13 overs.

Early wickets in the field would be essential if Bexhill were to stand any chance of an improbable victory and the opening bowlers duly obliged. Grinstead’s top three scored just seven between them as Crawford dismissed two of them and Callum Guest the other.

Crawford went on to claim his third victim, but Ollie Graham (54 not out) and Fynn Hudson-Prentice (24 not out) blasted Grinstead to victory inside 19 overs. After taking eight wickets the previous weekend, Joe Cox conceded 22 runs from his 10 deliveries.

Bexhill will be back in action this afternoon when they host Eastbourne in a Gray-Nicolls Sussex T20 Cup quarter-final. Play is due to get underway from 3.30pm at The Polegrove.

The Gray-Nicolls Sussex 2nd XI T20 Cup quarter-final between the two clubs - which was due to have preceded the first team game - isn’t taking place after Eastbourne conceded.

Standings (played-points): 1 East Grinstead 9-170, 2 Roffey 8-168, 3 Preston Nomads 9-152, 4 Brighton & Hove 9-145, 5 Horsham 8-143, 6 Cuckfield 9-124, 7 Eastbourne 8-124, 8 Three Bridges 9-103, 9 HASTINGS PRIORY 8-78, 10 BEXHILL 8-75.