It's Craig's Olive's v Puxted Bark at Buxted Park / Picture: Ron Hill / HillphotographicIt's Craig's Olive's v Puxted Bark at Buxted Park / Picture: Ron Hill / Hillphotographic
It's Craig's Olive's v Puxted Bark at Buxted Park / Picture: Ron Hill / Hillphotographic

In pictures - cricket action returns at Buxted Park CC

After a ten-month absence, cricket is back across England. And amazingly, the sun returned with it. Buxted Park CC chose to begin the season with an inter-club match with two teams made up  by the combination of the 1st XI and the 2nd X!.

Winning the socially distanced toss, Craig Olive of ‘Craig’s Olives’ won the toss and elected to bat on what looked a track with something for everyone. This wasn't the case, as Warwick Barnes was run out by Alfie Hunter early on and was closely followed by Tom Clift and Ollie Jones. At 15-3 the ‘Olives’ looked in trouble, especially with seamers Reddimg Barnes and Isaac Heater beating the bat regularly. Ric Haynes and Ryan Banham (50 retired) steadied the ship, setting up club debutant George Read to hit an exciting 81, which brought the ‘Olives’ to a total of 216 from their 40 overs. In response, their opponents ‘Puxted Bark’ lost captain Dom. Heater (0) early to a once in a lifetime delivery from club stalwart Paul Shepperd. .Alfie Hunter and another club debutant Will Rist (50 retired) dragged ‘Puxted’ to 80-1 upon Will Rist’s retirement. Finley Coddington (40) upped the ante with some penetrating strikes around the ground. From this point on the ‘Olives’ were simply bystanders as ‘Puxted’ comfortably chased home their target with five wickets and five balls left. Fixtures will continue throughout the summer on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and spectators are more than welcome.Images on the pages that follow show ‘Craig’s Olives’ batting and are by by Ron Hill (HillPhotographic).

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