Priory keen to build momentum

Hastings Priory are looking to build momentum following their first win of the season.
Edward Avann at the crease for Hastings Priory's second team against Bexhill last weekend. Picture by Steve Hunnisett (eh22016d)Edward Avann at the crease for Hastings Priory's second team against Bexhill last weekend. Picture by Steve Hunnisett (eh22016d)
Edward Avann at the crease for Hastings Priory's second team against Bexhill last weekend. Picture by Steve Hunnisett (eh22016d)

After two abandonments and a narrow defeat against Worthing, Priory kick-started their Sussex Premier League campaign with an excellent victory away to Cuckfield last weekend.

Vice-captain John Morgan, who took five wickets in that game, said: “As I’ve said before, this is a transitional season for us, but we want to build up momentum now and really press on.”

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Sussex starlet Harry Finch, who scored a century against Cuckfield, will feature again at home to Chichester Priory Park today (Saturday), although Morgan is unavailable. George Campbell is expected to make his first appearanace this year, while Dave Draper and Freddie Hulbert should return. Play starts at 12.30pm.

Bexhill, meanwhile, have jumped into the second promotion spot from Sussex Division Two on the back of three straight victories. Their latest win at home to Glynde & Beddingham last weekend came despite some poor catching, but things are looking positive as the season moves into its second month.

Only Eastbourne - who have the full house of 120 points - sit above Bexhill, and it was those two sides who were expected to be in the hunt to go up having come down from the Premier League last summer.

“Although we are taking every game as it comes, we did feel it would be a case of ‘them and us’ I think,” admitted first team coach Ian Cox. “The game against them in a couple of weeks’ time will be a big one, but only if we can keep up our winning form and keep pace with them.”

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Overseas player Andrew Williams will return from a side injury in place of Jake Beale as Bexhill travel to Crawley-based Ifield today. “Hopefully we can combine the previous three weeks’ fielding with last week’s batting performance,” Cox added. “If we can do that, then we’re confident we can beat anyone.”

Crowhurst Park will be trying to halt Eastbourne’s perfect start to the season when the teams meet at The Saffrons this afternoon (1pm start). Park were playing two levels below Eastbourne last season and the fact that they are now in the same division illustrates the splendid progress they’ve made in recent times.