Seaford sink Buxted Park - Crowhurst Park win at Bexhill - Hailsham hurt by Brighton

Seaford v Buxted Park - Division 3 East

Buxted Park travelled to in-form Seaford and on winning the toss, Park elected to bat first.

Openers Hunter (13) and Coddington (22) got Buxted off to a good start with the side 36-0. From here though, a continuous display of poor batting undid Buxted’s order.

Bad decision making and reckless shots meant Buxted sank fast to 69-7 in the blink of an eye, with five of the wickets being caught.

The Goddard brothers bowled neat spells (2/30 apiece) to stunt any comeback from Buxted. The only reply Buxted could offer was a 60 partnership between the counter-attacking Olive (40) and Leonard (20).

A flurry from number 11 I Heater meant Buxted Park were all out inside 34 overs for a dire total of 147.

Buxted began the Seaford reply with hope and got a good start.

I Heater removed Kneller for eight, leaving Seaford 19-1 early on.

But this brought Backhouse (37) in and he and Lucas (87) set about chasing the total.

They added 120 to the total before Lucas fell to Cockcroft, who was able to add two more consolation wickets, (gaining Buxted an extra point in the process) before Seaford reached 147-4 with over 20 overs left in the tank.

Elsewhere, the Buxted Patk 3rd XI chalked up a remarkable 366-8, which included a maiden century for 15-year-old Paddy Cooper, before bowling Hellingly twos out for 127.

Newick v Bexhill 2nd - Division 5 East

It was an exciting afternoon at the King George V playing fields.

Bexhill won the toss and put Newick into bat. MoM Matt Sawyer top scored with 58 and Joe Waylett (24) and Will Sawyer (28) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures.

Newick were bowled out for 174 in the 37th over.

Charlie Francis took 3-52 and Bethan Harvey 3-28.

In the reply Matt Sawyer took 5-15 and Scott Warren 4-32 as Bexhill were bowled out for 151 in the 34th over.

Joel Cheshire top scored for Bexhill with 35 but this was a much-needed win for the Newick lads.

Hailsham v Brighton and Hove 2nd - Division 4 East

Hailsham travelled to Brighton and Hove looking for a win to keep their promotion hopes alive. Skipper Anthony won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch that looked as though it would break up later in the day.

Peacock and Ollie McDonald opened the batting, with the former clipping of his legs nicely before trying one too many. He was quickly followed by Rippengal (8) caught after being deceived by the length of the delivery. McDonald and Dunning combined well, with Dunning smashing the ball to all corners of the ground. McDonald too was striking it nicely, until he drilled the ball to mid off, who took a smart catch.

Dunning fell shortly after for a rapid 44 off of 19 deliveries, with Dawber also falling the very next over, leaving Hailsham struggling 5 wickets down. Fingerneissl and Anthony were also sent back cheaply, so it was up to the tail of Tom McDonald, Hicks and Bellett to propel Hailsham to a competitive score. McDonald and Hicks (29 and 28) combined well to push Hailsham’s score on, but a flurry of wickets at the end meant that Hailsham were bowled out for 162.

Hailsham knew that early and regular wickets were going to be the key to winning the game. Openers Anthony and Bellett bowled well with no reward, so it was left to Ollie McDonald to get the ball rolling, dismissing Towers (18) with a ripping off-spinner. Joe Fingerneissl joined in the action, taking a couple of wickets, with the second being a bizarre caught behind off of the back of Guppy’s bat.

An LBW from Headland started to reel Hailsham into the game, before an extraordinary dismissal occurred; Elliot handling the ball on 48 to prevent the ball dropping onto his stumps sent Hailsham crazy, and a run out the very next ball swung the momentum towards Hailsham. However, it was not meant to be, as Williamson (26*) and Clephane (23*) combined well to see Brighton over the line.

Crowhurst Park

Crowhurst Park – like many clubs – were hit by player availability issues as the school summer holidays started.

The 1st XI secured an important win in a derby at Bexhill.

Batting first, the home side struggled on a bowler-friendly pitch. Only Damyn Waddups (46) showed any form with the bat. Park took wickets at regular intervals to bowl Bexhill out for 150 in 36 overs.

The wickets were shared, Nick Peters (3-56) returning the best figures.

Crowhurst Park knew batting was going to require cautious concentration on an un-predictable pitch. So it proved, but well executed knocks from Joe Lovell (51) and Demari Benta (33*) guided the Crows to victory with just 4 wickets down to secure maximum points.

CP’s 2nd XI fielded a very young side at home to St Peters.

Batting first the visitors made a challenging 271-6. Aaron Andrews (112*) formed the backbone of the innings as Park bowlers toiled in the summer sun. Gryff Watkins (3-37) took late wickets.

Responding, the Crows made a valiant effort to stay in contention with Will Orr (68) and Gryff Watkins (38) but finally went down chasing runs and important points, finishing 37 runs short. Overseas bowler Dilshan De Silva (3-49) wrapped things up

The Crowhurst 3rd and 4th XIs had daunting prospects against Division 11 and Division 12 league leaders Kerala Strikers. From the stars it was a question of securing league points for both Park teams.

Strikers’ 1st X1 scored 337-9 with Jibin Miranda (175) Crows bowlers shared the wickets as Justin Harley (3-37) the best. In reply Park found it difficult to keep Kerala at bay as they slumped to 95-9.

The match looked all but done; however a stubborn last-wicket stand of 116 Mick Flanagan (68) and Frazer Hughes (41) restored some pride. Crows were finally all out for 211 in the last over.

The CP 4th XI suffered at the hands of Kerala 2nds who amassed 405-6, Shinmy Thomas (92) Vinu James (84).

Replying, although never in contention, Park 4th XI batted with creditable determination to reach 141-5 in their allotted overs John Lovell (66*) as the visitors were comfortable winners.

Bexhill III v Hailsham III - Sussex League Div 9 East

Bexhill won the toss and batted but were in early trouble at 32-3 as Ed Brook (3-6) took control.

Despite solid contributions from Felix Holland (28) and Owen Cullip (12) and some late resistance from Jo Webster (10) and Ian Harvey (6*) Bexhill succumbed to 96 all out, Clint Mooiman taking 2-27.

In reply Hailsham made short work of the target losing only Stewart Kennedy, stumped off the bowling of Luke Keeler for 44. Bobby Williams was undefeated on 34. This week Bexhill visit table topping Westfield.

Sidley CC

Sidley's first team fixture on Saturday was abandoned following a nasty injury.

A Sidley player hurt his neck and back after suffering a painful fall onto hard ground while fielding on the boundary during the Sussex Cricket League Division 10 East match away to Tunbridge Wells fourths.

An ambulance was called and the player was taken to hospital in nearby Pembury. After being assessed by hospital staff, he was discharged on Saturday night.

The incident happened in the final over of the home side's innings and there was no play thereafter, with both teams taking 10 points for the abandonment.

Tunbridge Wells amassed 262-7 after being asked to bat. Amie Anderson (3-48), Steve Ramsden (2-45) and Trevor Ramsden (1-41) were Sidley's wicket-takers.

* Sidley's second team lost by 105 runs at home to Willingdon thirds in Division 12 East (South).

Willingdon amassed 280-6 after choosing to bat, despite Mark Gransden taking 3-39, and Harry Little and Toby O'Connor claiming a wicket each.

Sidley were all out for 175 in reply, with O'Connor (38), Gransden (37), Nigel Cole (31) and Little (18) the main contributors.

Brookland 233-5 v Winchelsea 194-9

Winchelsea travelled to Brookland for their latest Sunday friendly, playing 35-overs per innings. Winchelsea were asked to field first.

Brookland got off to solid start with an opening partnership of 106 before Jack Keen was caught off the bowling of Callum Preece (1-28) having scored 58.

The second wicket fell just eight runs later to Hamish Payne (1-29) with Bradley Harper being caught for 16.

Craig Pierce then hit a quick 65 before he retired. Colin O’Neill (36) fell to the bowling of Mike Stoneham in the final over as he finished with figures of 1-8.

Tom O’Neill finished on 11 not out as Brookland reached 233-5.

Winchelsea lost a wicket in the first over, taken by Callum Hadaway (1-6).

Teddie Wilmoth looked to find the boundary scoring 23 before he fell victim to the bowling of Daniel Chapman who reduced Winchelsea to 39-3 as he finished with figures of 2-33.

Simon Wheeler (24) and Hamish Payne (14) steadied the innings before Reece Martin took three wickets in one over to claim bowling figures of 3-16.

Callum Preece scored 25 and James Jury 31 before 11-year-old Ollie Balcomb finished on 50 not out as Winchelsea reached 194-9.

Colin O’Neill (2-60) and Riley McCarthy (1-54) were the other Brookland wicket takers.

Nutley v Roberstbridge 2nds - Division 10 East

Nutley remain top despite suffering a 90-run defeat in the top of the table clash against Robertsbridge.

Having been asked to bat, Robertsbridge openers Martin Simms (33) and Pat Grace (37) made an aggressive start.

A huge total was looking likely as Toby Waring (50) and Simon Livett (53) carried on the good work.

However, the host bowlers fought back with Paul Carter (3/41) and Vivek Singh (3/48) stemming the flow to see the visitors all out for 241.

Nutley made a disastrous start to their reply and were two wickets down before a run had been scored.

Nick Avis (31) steadied the innings supported by several batters making the teens before falling.

But they were never up with the run rate.

Mark Reed (34*) ensured the hosts secured enough bonus points to stay top as they were dismissed for 151. Richard Easton (4/38) was the pick of the Bridge bowlers. Nutley visit Ringmer twos tomorrow.

Crawley Down v Barcombe - Division 5 Central

Barcombe 194-7 in 40 overs; Callum Coppard 73 Will Marler 38 Matt Tucker 25; Crawley Down 164 all out in 36.4 overs; Harry Stewart 5-19 Allan Trower 3-19. Barcombe won by 30 runs

Barcombe 2nd v Burwash Weald

Burwash 390-5 in 40 overs; Barcombe 187 all out in 37.3 overs; Andy Allsobrook 59 John Coppard 26 Ollie Levett 22 Alfie Apps 20. Barcombe lost by 203 runs.