Mixed weekend for Park

The Telham-based club was beaten by 14 runs at home to Findon in its first Sussex Cricket League Division Two match of the summer on Saturday.

But a high scoring victory against Bells Yew Green in the Davidstow Village Cup on Sunday, including a maiden first team century for 18-year-old Cameron Flanagan, meant the weekend ended on a positive note.

Despite losing a wicket in the first over, Findon got off to an excellent start before collapsing from 77-2 to 135 all out with Paul Brookes taking 5-22 and Richard Coleman 3-24.

Chasing a low total has been a struggle for Park in recent seasons and despite a new look batting line-up, their batting woes continued with a calamitous start, losing the first three wickets for just two runs.

Ed Smissen and Payne played with intent as they sought to rebuild before Nick Taylor joined Smissen and again started to build a partnership.

Matt Peters continued to work the ball around with Smissen and it looked like they were giving Park the upper hand until Smissen was superbly caught for an excellent 41.

Park were back in trouble at 93-7 and opening bowler Graham Manser returned to take the eighth wicket with the first ball of his second spell.

When Peters fell for 34 after another solid innings, it was left to old timers Brookes and Coleman to attempt to see Park over the line from 110-9.

The final wicket fell with the score 121 to give James Iago five wickets along with his 70 runs. Park’s Claremont School player of the match was shared between Brookes and Smissen.

Park set off on the road to Lord’s in the Davidstow Village Cup with a first round victory away to Bells Yew Green on Sunday.

Park batted first and despite losing an early wicket, posted a superb 290-3 from their 40 overs with excellent contributions from Clive Tong (71) and Bradley Payne (90).

It was Flanagan who stole the show, though, by scoring his maiden ton in adult cricket. He grafted early on in his innings, reaching 50 off 82 balls, but after that he exploded into life and reached his 100 off the last ball with a huge six. He ended up unbeaten on 105 from 110 balls, meaning his second fifty took just 28 deliveries.

BYG got off to a flyer in reply thanks to Dan McInerney, who scored 61 off just 32 balls. At the halfway stage the hosts, who play in East Sussex Cricket League Division Two, were exactly halfway towards their target at 145-1.

Dale Payne and Tong then bowled in tandem to restrict the run rate, with Tong in particular causing problems. He removed the other opener, Carlin Tapp, who also made 61, and continued to take wickets along with Payne at regular intervals.

BYG were all out for 252 and Tong finished with excellent figures of 4-32 off nine overs to go along with his 71 runs. He shared the Claremont School player of the match with Flanagan.

Park’s reward is a second round tie at home to Sussex Division Four side Hellingly this coming Sunday, 1pm start.