Priory pipped in thriller

Freddie Hulbert took three wickets with the ball and scored 25 with the bat for Hastings Priory against Worthing

Worthing were bowled out for 156 after winning the toss and choosing to bat. Kyle Adcock - Priory’s overseas player for the first part of the season having joined the club after Sidley withdrew from the Sussex League - made an early breakthrough.

John Morgan came on at first change and took 3-13 from six overs, including Malcolm Lake for 32. Number four Darryl Rebbetts top-scored with 37 until becoming one of three victims for Freddie Hulbert.

Young spinner Elliot Hooper bagged the wickets of Alex Harris (20) and Ian Gooding (24), while Adcock effected a run out at the end of the innings to leave Priory in a good position to win the game at the halfway stage.

Jake Woolley dug in at the top of Priory’s reply for 18 off 81 balls, Adam Maharaj-Newman made 14 off 20 at number three and Hulbert completed a good personal performance with 25 at number five, but three ducks in the middle order left the hosts in trouble.

A good partnership between number eight Hooper (31) and number nine Adcock (27) gave Priory renewed hope, but last man Adam Barton was cleaned up by Luke Vinter for a fourth ball duck to leave them all out for 153. Harry Dunn was the pick of the Worthing bowlers with excellent figures of 5-17 off 10.

Standings (all played three matches): 1 Cuckfield 62pts, 2 Worthing 62, 3 Preston Nomads 53, 4 Brighton & Hove 51, 5 East Grinstead 50, 6 Horsham 48, 7 Three Bridges 46, 8 Roffey 44, 9 HASTINGS PRIORY 32, 10 Chichester Priory Park 30.