Sidley beaten in basement battle

The visitors amassed 202-7 off 53 overs after deciding to take first knock. Sachin Chaudhary (53), Kuldeep Rawat (42), Stuart Barber (29) and Rohit Jagota (25) contributed the bulk of the runs.

Paul Swannell was the pick of the Sidley attack with fine figures of 5-68 off 21 overs.

The hosts slumped to 49-5 in reply as Rawat laid waste to the top order. Sam Steele (48) and Paul Nice (37) put on 56 on the sixth wicket before Paul Thompson (15), Craig Ramsden (21 not out) and last man Chris Deeprose (19) all chipped in as Sidley were all out for 176.

Rawat finished with figures of 6-69 off 14 overs and Amit Suman claimed 3-34 off 11.2.

Sidley are now 52 points adrift of second-from-bottom Haywards Heath.

Crowhurst Park remain top in Sussex Division Three (East) despite being held to a draw at home to Seaford.

Park totalled 210-9 thanks to good knocks from Dale Bryant (89) and Bradley Payne (46) before the visitors ended the day on 172-7. Ed Smissen claimed 3-36 and Paul Brookes 2-49.

Sussex Division 2 standings (all played 12): Three Bridges 252pts, Findon 183, Goring-by-Sea 183, Cuckfield 181, Glynde & Beddingham 177, St James’s Montefiore 176, Ifield 167, Pulborough 159, Haywards Heath 152, Sidley 100.

Sussex Division 3 (East) standings (all played 12): Crowhurst Park 219pts, Crawley 212, Lewes Priory 201, Ansty 198, Keymer & Hassocks 191, Hellingly 175, Burgess Hill 172, Henfield 168, Seaford 162, Lindfield 148.

For full match reports see Friday’s Observer Sport.