Lindfield 3rd XI enjoy nail-biting victory in first game of the season

Lindfield 3rd XI produced a nail-biting first league win of the season against Staplefield 1st XI despite a shocking spell from opening bowler and former 1st XI player, Neil Pedley.
By Gareth Cater
Published 3rd May 2015, 07:52 BST
Tom Hinley (left) and Tom Storer (right) who scored 34 not out and 113 not out respectively in the 4th XI league game.Tom Hinley (left) and Tom Storer (right) who scored 34 not out and 113 not out respectively in the 4th XI league game.
Tom Hinley (left) and Tom Storer (right) who scored 34 not out and 113 not out respectively in the 4th XI league game.

Staplefield started brightly bringing up their first 100 runs off just 11 overs including 49 off Pedley’s initial 5 overs, thanks mainly due to a pro-active 56 from Jordan Martin, and 41 from Darren Border. Some tight bowling from Luke Sowton (4-35) and Mike Hewett (3-70) dragged the game back and kept Staplefield down to 205 all out from a brisk 35 overs.

In reply, Lindfield got off to a positive start through Mike Newcombe (43) Rob Minter (35) and Jake Brookes (38) before a flurry of wickets saw the home team struggle to 171-8. With the visitors looking to secure a straightforward victory, 13 year old Joseph Parry making his league debut batted beautifully for his 22 not out, aided by Sowton (9 not out) to see Lindfield over the line in the 47th over, and 30 well deserved points.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lindfield 4th XI continued the club’s good form with a dominant 189 run opening league win, away to Bolney 2nd XI. Batting first, Tom Storer led from the front with a glorious unbeaten 113, supported by Ruhul Choudhury (33) and 13 year old debutant, and Sussex star, Tom Hinley (34 not out). The positive batting display allowed captain John Sage to declare at 224 for 4 from 40 overs and apply some early pressure to Bolney’s batting order.

In return, Bolney couldn’t live with the Lindfield attack as Lloyd Fielder (4-20) and Nigel Cannon (3-2) ripped apart their top order. Struggling to construct any partnerships, the home side were quickly dispatched for just 35 in 14 overs.

FRIENFLY: On a chilly Lindfield Common, the home team, including three debutants, completed a straightforward victory over a Rottingdean XI by 47 runs in their final warm up game before the start of the Sussex County League season. Batting first, wicket-keeping veteran Kevin Chamberlain (41) and skipper Phil Weir (28) helped Lindfield amass 167 all out from 47 overs including a gutsy 7 not out from 11 year old Charlie Weir.

In the second innings, the Lindfield attack turned the screw and Rottingdean failed to deal with the pressure, losing wickets on a regular basis. Debutant Hayden James (3-14) and new overseas player Max O’Dowd (2-4) dominated the Rottingdean batting line up, bowling them out for just 120 in 36 overs.

Lindfield 1st XI start their Sussex County League Division 2 season next week with a visit to Hastings & St. Leonards Priory.

Related topics:Lindfield