Bexhill clinch T20 final date

Twenty-four hours after defeating defending champions Hastings Priory in the Premier League, Bexhill got the better of leaders Preston Nomads in the semi-final at Fulking on Sunday.

They will now face Horsham in the final at the County Ground, Hove, this Sunday, starting at 3pm.

Nomads won the toss and opted to bat. James McKemey (26 off 33 balls) and Hugh Richards (32 off 27) put on 52 for the first wicket before Jeremy Green (25 off 16), Aaron Phillips (37 off 21) and Kashif Ibrahim (27 off 18) steered the score to 158-5 off 20 overs.

Pick of the Bexhill bowlers was in-form Jamie Bristow-Diamond who returned superb figures of 3-16 off his allotted four overs.

In reply, the visitors were give a good start by an opening stand of 64 between Jack Richardson (25 off 20) and Malcolm Johnson (35 off 24) before Andrew Harriott smashed an undefeated 59 off only 36 balls which included four fours and three sixes.

Support came from Tim Hambridge (19) and Shawn Johnson (10 not out) as Bexhill finished on 159-5 off 18.2 overs.

Horsham booked their place in the decider by seeing off Three Bridges by 68 runs.

For a full match report see Friday’s Observer Sport.