East Sussex cricket digest: Park have plenty to Crow about in August Cup

Crowhurst Park take the headlines in this week's East Sussex cricket round-up - but we also have reports involving Ashburnham, Battle, Westfield, Hastings Priory, Lewes Priory, Winchelsea, Mountfild, Heathfield Park, Mayfield, Newick, Laughton, Hailsham, Little Common and Herstmonceux.
Crowhurst Park's August Cup heroesCrowhurst Park's August Cup heroes
Crowhurst Park's August Cup heroes

Crowhurst Park are through to tomorrow’s August Cup final against Slinfold at Horsham after beating Keymer & Hassocks in their home semi-final.

Park were asked to bowl first, but a buzz around the ground thanks to a few local clubs coming to watch and the usual Park supporters filled Park with confidence.

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That was rewarded with a fantastic opening bowling performance by Jamie Bristow-Diamond, hitting superb areas with movement in the air and off the pitch,.

Diamond picked up two wickets inside nine overs, leaving Keymer on 26-2. Keymer tried to rebuild with opener Fairfax and No4 Moffat looking to dig in.

The score moved to 51 before Fairfax (16) was well caught off skipper Tim Hambridge by Joe Lovell.

More wickets fell in the middle overs thanks to the spin of Hambridge and Nick Peters and the pace of Pete Harris and soon Keymer were 67-5. Overseas man Moffat who struck a fantastic 64* to help them reach 163-8 off their 40 overs, the pick of the bowlers Diamond with 3-28.

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Park moved to 43-0 inside nine overs before losing Hambridge for 26.

Tom Powell and Lovell picked up the run rate, moving the score to 82 in 17 overs before Lovell (23) fell to Ben Smit. Payne couldn’t continue his phenomenal form as he was dismissed by Smit for just 1. Smit then removed Powell for 23, but Clive Tong (46*) and Matt Constable (30*) got Park home inside 29 overs.

The win puts Park into the August Cup final tomorrow, when they will face Slinfold at Horsham. Any support will be hugely appreciated as Park try to take home the trophy.

MoM was Bristow-Diamond for two fantastic spells of bowling.

Ashburnham Sunday XI v Battle Sunday XI

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At last, Battle wrestled back the Villages Cup, competed for by three clubs but held by a strong Ashburnham side for several years. Batting first, Ashburnham lost Gary Wicks to a nimble catch by Stuart Reeves during a probing spell from Kieran Dudgeon (1-10).

Corbishley (32) and Joe Pilbeam (31) rebuilt, but the main impetus came from Nick Peters (80), along with M Peters (25).

Battle skipper Jo Carthew (2-23) took the key wickets of Pilbeam and Peters, and there were victims for Guy Ballard (2-44) and one apiece to Callum Brand and Michael Dudgeon which kept a break on the score before a declaration at 218-7.

Reeves (15) timed some lovely drives before gliding Andrew Baker to slip in Battle’s reply. Carthew’s well-managed 76*, after some lovely punishing drives of his own, along with a wonderfully aggressive 107* from Jim Philcox took the game for the visitors.

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With ten fours and seven sixes, Philcox’s knock was certainly a match-winning one as Battle scored 222-2with over six overs left.

Hastings Priory 3rd v Westfield

Westfield concluded their August Cup campaign with a 66-run victory away to fellow group winners Hastings Priory thirds.

After skipper Peter Baker elected to bat on a flat wicket, Westfield started well with Rob Yardy and Kevin Allman putting on 50.

They proceeded to lose four quick wickets before Darren Corke (22) steadied. Allman was out for a well-made 60, but Bhav Patel (28 not out) batted sensibly to get Westfield to a par 195-9.

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The pick of the Hastings bowlers were Joss Bounsell (2-22), Iden McCleave (2-10) and Dylan Woolley (2-12).

Hastings initially got off to a solid start in reply through Woolley and McCleave. Once Woolley was removed, Ben Steadman (26) batted cautiously against the frugal Westfield bowlers.

After McCleave departed to the first ball after the drinks break for an excellent 38, wickets fell regularly.

Only Jack Bounsell (27) made a significant contribution after that as Westfield eventually bowled Hastings out for 129 from 38 overs.

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The pick of the Westfield bowlers were Patel (3-17), Corke (2-12) and Steve Cornford (2-25). Westfield MoM was Patel.

Winchelsea v Richard Merricks XI

Winchelsea hosted the Richard Merricks XI at Rye for their latest Sunday friendly and were asked to bowl first.

The Merricks XI looked to make the most of any loose bowling at one end as Callum Preece bowled a tight spell from the other in an opening spell of 11 overs which saw him claim figures of 1-45.

The introduction of Ed Jury saw two wickets fall in his first two overs but opening batsmen Harry Smeed continued to hit the ball well to keep the score increasing.

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Hugo Morris scored a quick 21 before he too fell to the bowling of Jury, who finished with 3-67. Smeed was eventually trapped lbw by Paddy Wood (2-59) having scored 121. Tim Brownbill scored 20 not out before the Richard Merricks XI declared with the score 222-6.

Winchelsea got off to a steady start against some tight opening bowling before Craig Pierce made the initial breakthrough. Two wickets from two balls from Pierce saw Winchelsea on40-3.

A fourth wicket partnership of 33 steadied the innings and increased the scoring rate before Roger Tidyman (37) was bowled by Helen Harrod (1-43).

This brought Callum Preece to join Phil Wheeler and in a 12-over partnership of 104 looked to punish the bowling.

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Pierce dismissed Preece (44) to finish with 4-34. Phil Wheeler (89no) continued the chase and Winchelsea required 22 off the final over but ended on 213-5 – honours even.

Westfield v Mountfield

Westfield were beaten at home to Mountfield in a friendly.

Mountfield decided to field and Westfield started steadily through Bhav Patel and Kevin Baker.

The loss of Patel brought Mark Sztyber in for a useful 42, but Westfield were struggling at 56-5.

Westfield were indebted to Patrick Edwards (14), Sam Jarvis (22) and 14-year-old Zac Turner (16*) as they ended on 156-9 from 35 overs.

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The pick of the Mountfield bowlers were D Graves (2-16), G Manion (2-38) and R Marchant (2-40).

In reply, Mountfield soon took a liking to the Westfield bowlers through Dan Touse (34*), Marchant (22) and A. Row (53).

Mountfield completed their chase inside 21 overs. Bhav Patel finished with 1-19 and Steve Cornford 1-26.

The game was played in an excellent spirit and Westfield’s man of the match was Sztyber.

Westfield v Heathfield Park

Westfield won by three wickets in a friendly.

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Heathfield batted first and got off to a great start through Neil Thornicroft (46) and Ash Worrall (81).

Once the openers were removed, however, the Westfield bowlers managed to gain more control and eventually restricted Heathfield to 204 all out.

The wickets were shared by Bhav Patel (2-25), Zac Turner (2-53) and Hastings youngster Adam Page (2-42).

Westfield’s reply started well through Kevin Baker (20) and Mark Sztyber (16). A minor collapse followed before MoM Page (91*) and Patel (28*) combined to clinch victory.

Mayfield 2nd v Newick

August Cup play-off

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Newick won the toss and elected to bat in one of the semi-finals for the August Cup (Group B section).

Mayfield were in extremely good form and Newick found it difficult to score runs; James Waylett top scored with 25.

Newick were bowled out in their 28th over for 120. For Mayfield Ollie Chaplin took 3-11.

In reply, Newick took two wickets thanks to Ben Whelpton and Matt Hurkett before Mayfield passed the score in their 18th over.

Tristan Killops top-scored for Mayfield with 39.

- Marion Cottingham

Laughton v Hailsham 2nd

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Hailsham 2nd XI travelled to Laughton for their first post-season friendly, with captain Lewis Williams eager to perform well.

Ciaran Peacock and Paul McDonald opened the batting and the Laughton bowlers made the new ball movement count, removing McDonald, Fenwick (17) and Kennedy within the first 10 overs.

Christy Walder (32) dispatched deliveries that missed their line and length before being caught behind off of the back of the bat.

Skipper Williams followed but Sam Mills began timing the ball well, hitting boundaries.

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The pair enjoyeda near-100 partnership before Mills was dismissed for 32.

Shibin Abraham wasted no time stamping his mark on the game, driving over long off for six off his second ball. He dismissed the bowlers with ease as he hit numerous huge sixes into neighbouring fields.

Peacock brought up his ton with four overthrows, his first century for Hailsham. Peacock retired on 120*, then Hailsham began to fall apart, but Shibin blasted a 21-ball 50 on his way to an unbeaten 63. Hailsham finished on 295-9.

Ed Garbett (3-11) took a wicket with his first delivery, an in-swinging yorker. Matt Anthony (2-16) was as destructive and the pair left Laughton in big trouble.

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Warren Headland (3-12) and Sam Mills (2-25) replaced the opening pair. The two hit the right areas and forced the batsmen to make mistakes. Laughton were bowled out for 77, meaning Hailsham won in a comprehensive manner.

MoM was Peacock.

Hailsham v Lewes Priory

A reshuffled Hailsham side welcomed Lewis Priory to Hailsham Rec.

Skipper Tom Hicks won the toss and Hailsham were to bat. Rob Wilkinson (100*) and Harry Chatfeild (11) opened and Wilkinson prospered.

Stan Garbett contributed 23 and Ollie McDonald hit 84 and hit it with vigour.

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Clint Mooiman (26) and debutant Ethan Dawber made an impression while helping Wilkinson to his century.

Hailsham took to the field with confidence but opening bowlers Alex Renals and Ed Brooke Bowles had no early luck.

Shankar Bala and Matt Dawber bowled well but again the Lewes opening pair dug deep. Mooiman got the breakthrough, then Dawber claimed his first Hailsam 1st XI scalp with Brooke Bowles not far behind.

Skipper Tom Hicks toppled Lewes’ centurion with help from Matt Dawber which spelled the beginning of the end for Lewes and Hailsham emerged victorious by 62 runs.

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Ollie McDonald and Chatfeild’s split-shift behind the sticks invigorated the fielders.

MoM was Wilkinson.

Little Common v Herstmonceux

Little Common made short work of their August Cup semi-final in winning a 33-over game by eight wickets.

Ceux were all out for 68 in the 20th over, with only Billy Hobden (18) and Mickey Toomey (15) making double figures.

Little Common bowled well with the excellent fielding support and some variable play from the pitch where eight batsmen were caught.

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Little Common set about chasing down the total confidently in 13 overs for the loss of just two wickets, with Ethan Guest (16) and Tom Crathern (18) the not out batsmen.

Club chairman Alan Smith said: “Although we were outplayed in the semi-final, there have been many positives from the short season.

“On top of some strong individual performances in both the 1st and 2nd XI, regular training and a positive club spirit, we aim to field a 3rd XI next season to cater for growing playing numbers.”

Hailsham 3rd v Hailsham 4th

It was a sunny day for this inter-club friendly.

Bobby Williams led the thirds with Kaleigh Pavitt the first female captain of the fourths.

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The third XI elected to bat and T Mullins (48), captain B Williams (41), O Brett (52*) and A. wanborough (38) leading them to 250-8.

J Wickham (15) and J Funnell (3) opened the batting with a big task ahead of them. Warren (20) and Pavitt (62*) batted well but the fourths were all out for 149.

Player of the match was Pavitt for her excellent captaincy and her ruthlessness with the bat.

Bradley Aldridge took an excellent catch on the boundary and to all the juniors look to be developing into top quality players.