Bexhill hold on for derby draw

Jamie Wicks took five wickets in Bexhill's draw away to Eastbourne

After winning the toss and inserting Eastbourne, Bexhill’s bowlers came up against the best opening pair in the division. Mark Tomsett (64 from 95 balls) and ex-Bexhill player Toby Finzel (58 from 90 balls), who still holds the club’s top score, shared a 128-run opening stand.

Bexhill’s spinners Jamie Wicks (5-29 - his first five-wicket haul in the front side) and Callum Guest (2-71) reduced Eastbourne to 147-6 but once again Bexhill’s inability to polish a side off allowed Eastbourne to total 207-8 on a a perfect batting wicket provided by Jamie Ramsden.

Bexhill were hopeful of success at tea and got off to a steady if somewhat slow start in reply before Malcolm Johnson (15) went with the score 41. Bexhill then collapsed to 97-6 with Tim Hambridge (27) among the casualties.

Shawn Johnson (52 from 69 balls) and Elliot Guest (33 from 39 balls) counter-attacked, however, during a seventh wicket partnership of 57. Eastbourne at this stage were desperate not to lose and had seven men on the boundary as Bexhill looked favourites needing slightly more than six-per-over.

But Shawn Johnson and Elliot Guest fell in the space of three overs, and Bexhill settled for the draw at 181-9, although there was more drama as last man Joe Cox had to face the final three balls to stave off defeat.

Bexhill once again got into a good position after the early pounding and a bit more positivity early on with the bat could have yielded a much-needed victory.

Standings (all played 15 matches): 1 Eastbourne 358pts, 2 Goring-by-Sea 337, 3 BEXHILL 315, 4 Findon 303, 5 Ifield 260, 6 CROWHURST PARK 258, 7 Middleton 218, 8 St James’s Montefiore 201, 9 Pulborough 160, 10 Glynde & Beddingham 136.