Bexhill rally from 17-4 to sink Saints

Bexhill’s cricketers made it four straight league wins with their third victory over St James’s Montefiore this season.
Callum Guest took five wickets and scored a half-century in Bexhill's win away to St James's MontefioreCallum Guest took five wickets and scored a half-century in Bexhill's win away to St James's Montefiore
Callum Guest took five wickets and scored a half-century in Bexhill's win away to St James's Montefiore

Callum Guest took five wickets with the ball and then joined Johnathan Haffenden in scoring a half-century with the bat as Bexhill prevailed by six wickets on Saturday despite losing four of their top five for ducks.

After losing the toss and having to bowl in sweltering heat (it was still 30 degrees when Bexhill left their opponents’ ground at 6.15pm), Joe Cox (2-12 from eight overs) struck early before Bexhill’s spinners took over with Guest picking up 5-35 from 16.2 overs and Josh Beeslee 2-39.

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Only number four Adam Davies (57) caused Bexhill any real problems until he was last man out as Guest completed his five-wicket haul and rounded-off the innings in the 43rd over with St James all out for 135.

After tea, the smile was soon wiped from the Bexhill supporters’ faces. Malcolm Johnson departed for a second ball duck and opening partner also fell for nought to a needless run out, leaving the visitors 1-2.

Tom Powell and Shawn Johnson were both out without scoring with the score 17 before Bexhill’s oldest and youngest players shared an unbeaten 120-run partnership to get them over the line at 137-4 in the 32nd over.

Leading runscorer, 29-year-old Haffenden, hit an unbeaten 69 with 10 fours and two sixes, and 18-year-old Guest made 51 not out with seven boundaries in a match- winning stand that the coach had asked for, much to the delight of Guest’s girlfriend who was watching her first Sussex League match.

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Standings (all played 11 matches): 1 Eastbourne 290pts, 2 Goring-by-Sea 258, 3 BEXHILL 255, 4 Findon 229, 5 Ifield 198, 6 CROWHURST PARK 196, 7 St James’s Montefiore 185, 8 Middleton 142, 9 Pulborough 107, 10 Glynde & Beddingham 100.

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