Priory so close to vital victory

Priory were one wicket away from beating the Sussex Development XI on Sunday and the 16 extra points they would have got for winning the game would have put them only two behind Premier Division pacesetters Horsham.

Third-placed Priory scored 249-7 batting first and the Sussex Development XI were 220-9 in reply. There are two matches remaining and Priory go to Horsham on the final day.

Priory recovered from 114-5 to make 243-7 declared at home to Three Bridges on Saturday with Jason Finch hitting 64, David Draper 64 and George Campbell 47. Josh Poysden took 6-37 as Bridges were all out for 124.

Bexhill remain in the second promotion position from Division Two after continuing their remarkable winning run with an eight-wicket success at home to St James’s Montefiore.

After bowling their opponents out for 197 at The Polegrove, Bexhill knocked off the runs thanks to Malcolm Johnson (101 not out) and Tom Powell (74).

Sidley slid to fourth in Division Three (East) on the back of a six-wicket loss at Uckfield Anderida, although they are still in the promotion hunt. Sidley declared on 207-7 batting first, but Uckfield got home at 210-4.

In the same division, Crowhurst Park lost by 10 runs at home to Keymer & Hassocks. Victor Walcott and Martin Menezes took three wickets each as Keymer were all out for 184 only for Park to come up just short in reply. Menezes top-scored with 40.

Full reports on each of these games will appear in Friday’s Observers.

Standings - Premier Division (played 17 matches unless stated): 1 Horsham 371pts, 2 Preston Nomads 354, 3 HASTINGS PRIORY 353, 4 East Grinstead (18) 316, 5 Eastbourne (18) 250, 6 Roffey 248, 7 Chichester Priory Park 231, 8 Brighton & Hove 224, 9 Three Bridges 203, 10 Pulborough 189.

Division 2 (all played 16 matches): 1 Worthing 335pts, 2 BEXHILL 310, 3 Glynde & Beddingham 301, 4 Goring By Sea 282, 5 Cuckfield 277, 6 Haywards Heath 270, 7 St James’s Montefiore 231, 8 Ifield 202, 9 Stirlands 201, 10 Lewes Priory 188.

Division 3 (East) (all played 16 matches): 1 Hellingly 307pts, 2 Ansty 302, 3 Seaford 299, 4 SIDLEY 296, 5 Lindfield 291, 6 Burgess Hill 268, 7 Keymer & Hassocks 261, 8 CROWHURST PARK 260, 9 Uckfield Anderida 241, 10 Crawley 202.