Bexhill seek reply to derby drubbing

Malcolm Johnson’s side will host Worthing tomorrow (Saturday) and the Sussex Development XI on Sunday in a Sussex Premier League double header still smarting from a 10-wicket loss to Hastings Priory last weekend.

Bexhill first team manager Hamish Russell said: “We had a bit of a chat after the game and they (the players) were bitterly disappointed because they saw it as a chance to pick up bonus points missed.

“They’re very young and if this was to happen two or three times on the trot, then you’ve got a problem. But up until now we’ve played good cricket and our batting has been strong.”

Tomorrow’s match brings together the two teams promoted from Division Two last summer. Worthing pipped Bexhill to the title by a solitary point despite being hammered by 10 wickets at The Polegrove on the final day.

Bexhill will be back in action 24 hours later against a Sussex Development XI containing some of the county’s top young players.

“We’ve got a great chance this weekend,” Russell went on. “We were thrashed on Saturday, but we’ve got not one but two chances to bounce back. We’re certainly not going in there with any negative aspects.

“The Development XI almost becomes more important than the Worthing game and we must pick up points in that game. If we can win one out of two and make sure we pick up bonus points as we go, that’s a good weekend for us.”

Bexhill should be just about at full strength for a pair of matches which will begin at 12.30pm. Callum Guest may be unavailable tomorrow due to school commitments, but hopes to play on Sunday.