Key derby in Bexhill survival bid

Ben Twine bowling for Eastbourne with Liam Bryant the non-striking batsman for Bexhill in a cup clash between the two clubs earlier this season. Picture by Simon Newstead (SUS-141205-100606002)

Bexhill will entertain Eastbourne today (Saturday) knowing that a victory could take them a significant step closer to securing their top flight status.

First team manager Jeff Chinn said: “We go into this weekend hopeful and confident of a reasonable performance. We’ll be going all out to get a result against Eastbourne.”

Bexhill continue to occupy the final safe spot of eighth with an 11-point cushion above the two relegation spots. Although they trail Eastbourne by three places and 46 points having played an extra game, Bexhill beat their neighbours in both cup competitions.

“I think we can win most games,” Chinn continued. “If we play to our potential, we can beat most of the teams in the league. The boys have the ability to go out there and beat them, but they’ve got to play to their ability.”

Although Bexhill have lost their last three games in all competitions, Chinn remains fairly confident they will stay up.

Jack Richardson is expected to return having been away last weekend, but Callum Guest is working. Bexhill are hoping Tim Hambridge will recover from last weekend’s blow to the hand.

TODAY’S CRICKET FIXTURES

Sussex Cricket League, 1st XI Premier Division (12.30): Bexhill v Eastbourne; Hastings Priory v Preston Nomads.

1st XI Division 2 (1): Goring-By-Sea v Crowhurst Park.

1st XI Division 4 (1): Wisborough Green v Rye.

2nd XI Division 1 (1): Eastbourne v Bexhill; Preston Nomads v Hastings Priory.

2nd XI Division 3 (East) (1): Crowhurst Park v Crawley; Rye v Rottingdean.

East Sussex League (1.30), Division 1: St Peters v Iden.

Division 2: Battle v Ringmer; Tunbridge Wells Borderers v Robertsbridge.

Division 3: Firle v Little Common Ramblers.

Division 4: Maresfield v Bexhill III.

Division 5: Heathfield Park II v Pett.

Division 6: Iden II v Hastings Priory III; Udimore v Blackboys.

Division 7: Alfriston v Battle II; Robertsbridge II v Burwash Weald.

Division 8: Bexhill IV v Herstmonceux II; Little Common Ramblers II v Selmeston & Alciston.

Division 9: Forest Row II v Sidley; Pett II v Mayfield III; Polegate & Stone Cross II v Bexhill V.

Division 10: Crowhurst Park III v Pevensey II; Rye III v Tunbridge Wells Borderers II.

Division 11: Glynde & Beddingham IV v Crowhurst Park IV; Robertsbridge III v Little Common Ramblers III.

Division 12: Heathfield Park III v Westfield; St Peters IV v Rye IV.