Park skittled for 60 in heavy defeat

Crowhurst Park’s recent good form came to an end with a heavy defeat away to Findon on Saturday.
Dale Payne was thrown the ball for just the third time this season and made the most of his chance by grabbing a couple of wickets for Crowhurst Park against FindonDale Payne was thrown the ball for just the third time this season and made the most of his chance by grabbing a couple of wickets for Crowhurst Park against Findon
Dale Payne was thrown the ball for just the third time this season and made the most of his chance by grabbing a couple of wickets for Crowhurst Park against Findon

Park produced a disappointing performance to be bowled out for just 60 in their latest Sussex Cricket League Division Two contest.

Although Park won at home to Findon in the Davidstow Village Cup earlier this season, Long Furlong has never been a happy hunting ground for them so it was always going to be a difficult afternoon.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Things weren’t helped by three players turning up late having been stuck in traffic which meant Park took to the field with just eight men for the first six overs.

By this time Findon had stormed to 41 before one of the late arrivals, Matt Peters, took an excellent catch to remove Bradley Bridson (18).

The in-form Jack Matters and Toby Kingsbury continued the attack before some tight bowling from Richard Coleman tempted Kingsbury (13) to gift Peters another catch at deep point with the score 81 off 20 overs.

Paul Brookes and Coleman continued to pull Park back into the game with some excellent tight bowling, and Metters was well-caught in the deep by Jon Peters off Brookes for a well-made 55.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A series of Findon batsmen continued to get in and then give their wicket away with most being caught at mid-on/mid-off to give Park some useful bowling points and restrict what looked like being a huge total.

Dale Payne picked up a couple of late wickets, while Glenn Bridson made an excellent 75 not out as Findon declared on 210-9 in the 50th over. Brookes finished with 4-67 and Ed Smissen 2-29.

Chasing 210 on a drying wicket should have been within Park’s reach, but the innings never really got going. Both openers had fallen in the first 10 overs with just eight runs on the board.

The pressure on the incoming batsmen to score quick runs resulted in more wickets falling and by the time in-form batsman Clive Tong was out for a top score of 18, the writing was on the wall. The innings soon fell away and Park were rolled over for a very disappointing 60.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A healthy 57-point cushion above the relegation places should be enough for Park to retain their Division Two status, but they will be keen to perform better in their last four games, starting at home to promotion-chasing Billingshurst on Saturday.