Sussex league round up: Roffey extend lead at the top

Roffey strengthened their lead at the top of the Premier League with an eight-wicket win at home to Bexhill on Saturday.
Rohit Jagota hit 92 runs against Preston Nomads in the T20 Cup but their fine run chase fell just one shortRohit Jagota hit 92 runs against Preston Nomads in the T20 Cup but their fine run chase fell just one short
Rohit Jagota hit 92 runs against Preston Nomads in the T20 Cup but their fine run chase fell just one short

Bexhill openers Tim Hambridge and Malcolm Johnson both notched half centuries to share the baulk of the visitors’ 152 all out. For the hosts Kuldeep Rawat took 4-36 and Daniel Smith 5-54.

In reply Roffey lost just two wickets in reaching their target in 35 overs, Smith completing a fine day’s work with 53 runs while Chris Webb top scored with 75.

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Roffey now lead the way by 35 points over East Grinstead, who moved up to second place in the table after drawing away at Three Bridges.

Batting first Bridges made 208-6 with several strong contributions, the best of which came from Danny Alderman, the skipper making 65.

In reply East Grinstead were in a spot of bother at 31-5, but Toby Margetts half century helped them reach 191-9 from their 52 overs.

Elsewhere Horsham failed with the bat down at Brighton & Hove as they were skittled out for just 83 batting first. Henry Turned bowled 5-23 and Chris Atherton 4-45, and Brighton reached their modest target in only 18 overs, Lachlan Sperling with 47 not out.

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Defending champions Preston Nomads enjoyed a high-scoring victory down at Eastbourne.

Hosts Eastbourne declared on 261-7 with half centuries from Dan Wells, Callum Jackson and Dom Shepheard.

But a great display with the bat from the visitors saw them make 262-6 from 53 overs to claim a four-wicket win, with half centuries from Angus Stewart and Jeremy Green.

The only other scheduled game in the Sussex Cricket League top flight between Cuckfield and Hastings was cancelled.

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The following day saw Round 2 of the Gray Nicholls T20 Cup, and the game of the day was a real thriller between Preston Nomads and Roffey which saw more than 400 runs made.

Batting first hosts Nomads smashed 207-3 from their 20 overs, Dan Phillips with 73. In reply Roffey fell just one run short despite the brave efforts of Rawat (51) and Rohit Jagota with 92 as Nomads progressed to the quarter finals.

Joining them in the last eight of the T20 cup are Ansty who beat Billingshurst, Bexhill who beat Brighton, Bognor Regis who beat Ifield, East Grinstead who beat Lindfield, Eastbourne who beat Worthing, Horsham who beat Hastings, and finally Keymer & Hassocks who won at St James’s Montefiore.

In Division 2 there appears to be no stopping Middleton, who strengthened their position at the top with an eight-wicket win at St James’s - their sixth win from six matches.

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St James’s were bowled out for 110 with five wickets from Anthony Ender, before half centuries from Sean Heather and Ben Hansford eased them to victory in 21.4 overs.

Elsewhere in Division 2 there were wins for Findon over Goring, Ifield over Worthing and Lindfield over Chichester. Billingshurst v Crowhurst Park was cancelled.

In Division 3 Pagham lead the way after beating Ansty by four wickets.

Also in the division Bognor drew with Glynde, Haywards Heath beat Rottingdean, Stirlands drew with Crawley Eagles, while Pulborough v Burgess Hill ended in a draw.

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Division 4 leaders Steyning have taken maximum points from all six of their games now - the latest coming away at Keymer & Hassocks on Saturday.

The division’s local derby went Wisborough Green’s way as they won away at Slinfold.

Henfield beat Lewes Priory, Portslade beat Rye and Crawley won away at Hellingly.

For scorecards from any of the games visit www.sussexcl.play-cricket.com