Middleton relegated as Sussex Cricket League season ends

Middleton failed to avoid the drop the Sussex Premier League, while Pagham had a winning end to their campaign.
Middleton put up a brave effort to stay in the division, but were relegated by their defeat at RoffeyMiddleton put up a brave effort to stay in the division, but were relegated by their defeat at Roffey
Middleton put up a brave effort to stay in the division, but were relegated by their defeat at Roffey

Here are the reports, starting with one of a day of contrasting emotions at Roffey...

Roffey v Middleton

Sussex Premier League

Middleton knew anything short of victory was likely to see them relegated from the Premier League – and they were unable to find a miracle as the hosts won to clinch the title.

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For the second week in a row Middleton found themselves batting first on a wicket they would rather have been bowling on. Wickets fell regularly with only Jofra Archer (28), Sean Heather(22) and Beck Hemingway (41) managing double figures.

Middleton’s innings closed on a disappointing 125 after 49.1 overs. Ben Menenti, the Roffey overseas player, took five for 31.

Roffey set about chasing the small total very positively and after the early setback of losing opener Theo Rivers lbw to Archer with the score on five, they did not look back.

The winning runs came in the 20th over for the loss of two wickets. Mike Norris (47) and Josh Fleming (37no) were the main run scorers.

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It ends Middleton’s Premier adventure all too soon but they look forward to division two next season and having a good go at returning.

Pagham v Findon

Sussex League division two

Findon won the toss and decided to bat on a wicket made for runs. Although they lost an early wicket, Findon found the Pagham bowlers to their liking and scored at nearly five runs an over throughout their 53 overs, eventually reaching 249 for eight.

Glenn Brisdon (69) and Curtis Howell (54) starred with the bat. Joe De La Fuente, having his first bowl for Pagham, ended with three for 22.

Pagham made their usual shaky start losing two wickets for 27 but a partnership of 137 between Ryan Barratt and Eranga Dissangge swung the game in Pagham’s favour.

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The dismissals of Ryan Barratt (73) and Nabid Rehman for seven gave Findon a brief scent of victory but Eranga ended his wonderful season with a cultured 98. He was last out with Pagham two short of victory and inconsolable in not getting his century.

However an edge from De La Fuente (28no) saw Pagham to a five-wicket victory with two overs left.

Findon are relegated to division three and Pagham can look forward to another season in division two. Eranga ended as the division’s highest run scorer with 727 runs at an average of 55 and Nabib Rahman ended with a commendable 51 wickets.

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