Park rally for third win in four

Pete Beaumont at the crease for Crowhurst Park against Middleton on Saturday. Picture by Simon Newstead

Upon winning the toss and opting to bat, Park found themselves 28-3 and then 76-6 with Rob Maier (3-19) in fine form. However, after Maier tweaked his hamstring and was unable to bowl any further, Clive Tong (63) and Pete Beaumont (5) rebuilt the innings with an excellent seventh wicket stand of 46.

Paul Lindfield then joined Tong and the run rate significantly increased with Lindfield hitting a superb 45 off just 21 balls. Tong fell shortly afterwards, but having reached 202 all out off 52 overs, Park were quietly confident at tea.

Paul Brookes (5-59) - the division’s leading wicket-taker - struck the first blow in the field, trapping Ben Hansford lbw with the score on nine before two more wickets saw the visitors on 55-3.

With Middleton struggling at 93-5, an excellent stumping from Kellen Powell gave Lindfield his first wicket, and he followed this up by removing skipper Jamie Thompson (37) and trapping Maier (14).

Looking dead and buried, Middleton were now 130-8. Although Rory Collier (36) gave Park a fright, man of the match Lindfield took a superb catch running back from cover point off Bradley Payne before Brookes wrapped up the innings with Middleton all out for 176.

For a full report, see Friday’s Hastings and Battle Observers.

Standings (all played nine matches): 1 Eastbourne 230pts, 2 BEXHILL 199, 3 Goring-by-Sea 198, 4 Findon 196, 5 CROWHURST PARK 174, 6 St James’s Montefiore 157, 7 Ifield 138, 8 Middleton 126, 9 Pulborough 98, 10 Glynde & Beddingham 83.