Priory go second with another away win

George Campbell, pictured here bowling in a recent match against Worthing, scored a half-century with the bat as Hastings Priory beat Chichester Priory Park

Priory prevailed by 55 runs away to relegation threatened Chichester Priory Park yesterday (Saturday) to make it a remarkable six successive league victories on their travels.

Having lost the toss and been asked to bat, Priory then lost both openers with the score six. Dave Lowery and Leo Cammish began the recovery, however, with a third wicket partnership of 61 until the former departed for 46 having hit eight fours and a six.

Byron Gould (16) was fourth man out with the score 88 and when Cammish fell for 27 with the score 115, Chichester would have been fancying their chances. Priory possess plenty of depth to their batting, though, and a crucial sixth wicket stand of 67 put them on course for maximum batting points.

George Campbell played a real captain’s knock of 56 with nine fours and Freddie Hulbert provided great support with 29. Elliot Hooper (31 not out) and Josh Poysden (18) added 28 useful runs for the eighth wicket as Priory declared two balls before the end of their 58-over allocation on 237-8.

Priory then got off to a super start with the ball, reducing Chichester to 26-4. Adam Barton (3-24 off six overs) picked up three of those wickets, including bowling both openers, and Hulbert (1-15 off six) claimed the second wicket with the score eight.

Chichester rallied with a fifth wicket partnership of 106 between Ben Caldera (51) and George Stephens (60), but once Poysden (2-53 off 18) trapped the latter lbw, the innings went into a marked decline.

Lowery (3-22 off eight) bagged three wickets in quick succession, including that of Caldera, to leave Chichester 144-8. Poysden claimed the ninth wicket with the score 162 and Hooper (1-30 off 6.1) sealed yet another Priory victory with the final wicket as the hosts were all out for 182 in 47.1 overs.

Standings (played 15 matches unless stated): 1 Preston Nomads (14) 339, 2 HASTINGS PRIORY (14) 275, 3 East Grinstead (14) 274, 4 Horsham 265, 5 Three Bridges 243, 6 Cuckfield 240, 7 Roffey 225, 8 Brighton & Hove 217, 9 Chichester Priory Park 198, 10 Worthing 190.