Flower blossoms as he breaks Bolney record

This was a Bolney club record, breaking the previous best of 160 which stood since 1994.

He also had a record partnership with Rory Delves of 244, the previous record of 212 had stood since 1975.

Flower, 27, has played for Bolney since he was eight, and have been a one club man ever since.

He said: “This was my highest personal score ever. My 179 is now also the record high score for the club, which my old colts coach Terry Sayers set twenty years ago (160). It was also the highest team score in Bolney history and the highest partnership in Bolney history.

“Strangely enough (for me!), I was only dropped once on about 150. I hit the first ball I faced for six, and after that it just kept coming off the middle and disappearing to (and over) the boundary. It was just one of those days I guess.”

What does James think of Bolney’s chances in division one of the Mid Sussex Cricket League?

“There are some strong teams in this top league. We were thrilled we got promoted last year, and hopefully our score on Saturday can show that we have what it takes as a team to be really competitive in this league and give us all confidence to start winning some games and pushing up the table. We’ve got a new second team, a new colts team, and a new sponsorship deal with Bolney Wine Estate. We hope it’s going to be an exciting year in our corner of Sussex.”

See this week’s Mid Sussex Times for full match report

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