Bexhill celebrate T20 derby double

The Polegrove-based outfit got the better of Sidley in round one of the Gray-Nicolls Sussex T20 Cup before beating Hastings Priory in round two later the same afternoon.

The first round tie was reduced to 16-overs-per-side due to overnight rain. Sussex Division Two side Sidley made 93-9 batting first and Premier League outfit Bexhill reached their target for the loss of three wickets.

Bexhill then scored 134-7 batting first against reigning Premier League champions Priory. Tim Hambridge top-scored with 31 and Jack Richardson smashed 28 not out off 17 balls. Harry Finch was the pick of the bowlers with 3-19.

Priory were looking good in reply as Finch made 38 off 33 and Adam Maharaj-Newman hit 44 off 38, but Jamie Bristow-Diamond ripped through the middle order with 4-12 and they ended up three runs short on 131-8.

Bexhill will travel to Haywards Heath in the quarter-finals on Sunday (July 1). Division Two team Heath won their second round tie at home to top flight East Grinstead on the toss of a coin.

See Friday’s Bexhill Observer for a full report.