Big day of cricket as season hots up

Hastings Priory will seek to continue their good form when they make their longest journey of the season to a second-bottom Chichester Priory Park side which beat them in the reverse fixture.

The youthful Priory team lies third in the Premier League - only eight points adrift of second-placed Horsham with a game in hand - and has won its last three completed league matches, as well as reaching the Gray-Nicolls Sussex T20 Cup final.

Bexhill Cricket Club first team coach Ian Cox is hoping his side can get back to winning ways following the abandoned fixture at struggling Glynde & Beddingham last weekend.

Cox’s men had drawn with Findon the week beforehand too, so it’s vital they can beat Ifield today to keep their Division Two promotion bid on track.

Ifield got the better of Bexhill when the sides met earlier in the campaign, but Cox is confident his side can take maximum points with home advantage this time around. Play will start at 1pm.

“We haven’t lost at home in the league all season,” Cox said. “We’re looking to avenge the defeat from last time and keep up the pressure on the top two. As ever, we’re all out to win the game.”

Crowhurst Park are set to host one of the biggest fixtures in their history as they take on Division Two leaders Eastbourne. Park claimed an excellent draw when the sides last met earlier in the campaign and stand-in skipper Dale Payne is hopeful they can repeat the trick, if not go one better.

“In my opinion, Eastbourne are a cut above in this league,” Payne said. “But we are a very good young team and we have a great 11 on paper. It will be interesting to see how we handle the game.

“I have no doubt we can beat them and we’ll certainly be more positive than some sides have been against them. We have the belief and if we can improve on the last result, be it win or draw with more points, we’ll be happy.” Play will start at 1pm.