Eastbourne pile on agony - and runs - against Middleton

Middleton and Pagham are both finding it tough going at the moment in the top two divisions of cricket’s Sussex league.
Pagham's Joe MetzPagham's Joe Metz
Pagham's Joe Metz

Both lost their latest games - the reports are below.

Middleton v Eastbourne

Sussex Premier League

It was a bad day at the office for Middleton in their home match against Eastbourne.

Having won the toss and elected to field, Middleton found themselves on the wrong end of a second-wicket partnership of 153 between Jacob Smith and Callum Jackson. Smith eventually scored 119, his maiden senior century, and Jackson 68.

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Delray Rawlins and Eastbourne skipper Luke Tompsett joined the party, putting on 73, with Rawlins scoring 55, an innings including seven fours and three sixes.

Eastbourne closed their innings on a whopping 319 for six off 54 overs.

Middleton’s response got off to the worst possible start and at 60 for five, winning the game was no longer an option.

The Middleton lower order were unable to save the game, which against a side currently locked together with them at the foot of the table had been their next objective.

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Only a partnership of 66 between Rob Willway and George Holman showed any real resistance. Middleton were eventually bowled out for 171 in just 36.4 overs.

With just seven games to go Middleton must hope performances improve quickly if they are going to have any chance of moving away from the relegation zone.

Pagham v Ansty

Sussex division two

On a rain-affected wicket Ansty were invited to bat and were soon in trouble at 12 for two.

Pagham took wickets at regular intervals and only Grove Venter with 37 and Luke Forster with 28 came to terms with the conditions.

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At 117 for eight Ansty were in big trouble but a ninth-wicket stand of 41 got the visitors to a respectable total of 162.

Mike Hales finished with three for 27 and Nabid Rehman three for 37.

The Pagham batsmen seemed not to have noticed that trying to force the ball off the front foot was not the ideal way to bat and Pagham were soon reduced to 17 for four.

However a partnership of 74 between Jo Metz (69no) and Joe De La Fuente (30) seemed to have swung the match back in favour of the home side.

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After Joe De La Fuente was stumped, wickets started to fall again and Pagham eventually limped to 136 all out. Metz was left stranded on 69 and must have been frustrated by what he saw at the other end.

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