SUSSEX LEAGUE ROUND-UP: Title looks certain for Preston Nomads

The latter are 27 points adrift of Brighton and Hove who were held to a draw at Three Bridges. Mercurial East Grinstead are a single point behind Hastings after winning at Cuckfield and could still finish as runners-up.

Horsham set a challenging 251 for 7 declared at home to Preston Nomads of which John Burroughs made 78, Tom Haines 57 and Will Williams 50. But Nomads set about their task with a vengeance to reach their target at 255 for 5 from 50.1 overs as Patrick Spencer hit 104 and Joe Gatting 94 not out.

Hastings were put in at Chichester and reached 237 for 8 declared with 46 from David Lowery and 56 from skipper George Campbell as Ashton Turner, back from his stint with the touring Australians, took 3 for 70. In reply Chichester were bowled out for 182 of which Ben Caldera made 51 and teenager George Stephens 60, for Hastings Adam Barton took 3 for 24 and David Lowery 3 for 22.

Cuckfield, probably wrongly, decided to bat on a damp pitch at home to East Grinstead and were dismissed for just 149 of which Harry Clark made 33 as Ian Sturmer took 6 for 36 and Will Adkin 3 for 52. In reply the visitors made 151 for 3 with 45 not out from Adkin and 34 from Tim Davey, Nick Paterson took 2 for 34.

It was stalemate between Three Bridges and Brighton and Hove after visiting Brighton posted 271 for 9 declared with 79 from Michael Rippon and 60 from Chris Atherton, Victor Davies took 5 for 70 and Jigga Parekh 3 for 48. In reply Bridges reached 155 for 8 at stumps with top score coming from Conor Golding who made 42, Craig Young and Michael Rippon took two wickets each.

Worthing are in danger of being cast adrift at the bottom after losing by 110 runs at home to Roffey. Rohit Jagota made 71 of the Roffey total of 192 all out as Luke Vinter took 4 for 49. But Worthing then crashed to 82 all out with Darryl Rebbetts making 31 while Dan Smith took 4 for 33.

Division Two

Eastbourne continue to lead Division Two, but only by 16 points from Goring. Both clubs have won 10 of their scheduled games to date and both won convincingly on Saturday. Bexhill have won 9 of their games and are 23 points behind Goring who they meet in the final game of the season. At the bottom Pulborough won for only the second time this season in beating St.James by eight wickets.

Eastbourne looked in trouble at 23 for 3 facing a Crowhurst Park total of 170 all out but Dan Wells (75 not out) and Matt Cooke with 60 helped them to victory at 171 for 5. Earlier Bradley Payne, with 39, was top scorer for Crowhurst Park while Mark Tomsett was the pick of the Eastbourne bowlers with 4 for 25.

Goring’s Matt Keen had a great day in their 9 wicket win at home to Glynde. He took 3 for 30 as Glynde tumbled to 131 all out and then hit 64 as Goring raced to 132 for 1. Chris Stanyard made 32 and Rob Mouland 35 in the Glynde total while Keen’s efforts with the ball were supported by 3 for 28 from Shane De Beer and 3 for 9 from Aaron Wyatt.

Bexhill enjoyed an eight wicket home win against Ifield after restricting their visitors to 189 for 8 declared of which Jack Groves scored 50 and Clayton Coultsounis 38 with Andrew Williams taking 3 for 32. Bexhill lost two early wickets but then Callum Guest with 74 not out and Jon Haffenden (72 not out) took them home at 192 for 2 in 45 overs.

Findon remain on the fringe of the promotion race following a nine wicket victory at Middleton who they bowled out for 162 of which Will Burrows made 52 as James Iago took 5 for 41. Bradley Bridson then hit 69 not out and Jack Metters 63 to take Findon home at 163 for 1.

Pulborough won for only the second time this season after sending St.James’s crashing to 68 all out. Destroyer- in- chief was Jonathan Bennett who took 7 for 35 in an innings that included five ducks ! Pulborough then cruised home at 71 for 2 in 19.2 overs.

Division 3 Round Up

EAST

Lindfield are now 17 points clear at the top of Division 3 East after seeing off one of their nearest rivals Ansty, by 4 wickets. Ansty reached 168 with Leo Anderson leading the way with 55. Lindfield captain James Pearce took 5-54 before Phil Weir struck an unbeaten 64 to lead them to victory.

Haywards Heath are in second after seeing off Crawley in double quick time to make it 8 wins in a row. Crawley were bundled out for 79 with Jon Phelps taking 5-26. He then hit 30 as the Heath innings lasted less than 15 overs.

Burgess Hill were beaten at Rottingdean thanks largely to the efforts of the Ledden brothers. George took 6-33 to restrict Hill to 143 all out before Henry made 54 in a comfortable 6 wicket win.

Keymer & Hassocks beat Lewes Priory to move 98 points clear of them at the foot of the table. Rob Meek 77 and Richard Eborn 57 were the chief contributers in Priory’s 162. Patrick Corrigan 4-30 and Andy Westgate 4-74 set up the resulting 5 wicket win.

WEST

Billingshurst are looking good for promotion from Division 3 West after moving 54 points clear following their 12th win of the season. Another fine all round effort from Dhanuska Mitipolaarachi with 106 and 4-33 ensured that Billingshurst’s 205 was 26 too many for Crawley Eagles. Ben Williams also took 4-73 for Billingshurst.

Stirlands lost ground after a surprise defeat at Slinfold. Slinfold posted 228-7 after being asked to bat with Sikho Camagu making 61 and Tim Coghill 60. Struan Cameron taking 4-53 for Stirlands. Three wickets apiece for Harrison Webb and Guy Thorne left Stirlands short on 185.

Steyning were just one run short at Henfield being bowled out for 174. Tony Brugnoli hit 53 as Henfield finished on 175. Despite Dave Kennett’s 74, Steyning were left agonisingly close as Brighton Mugochi took 6-52.

Wisborough Green won at Arundel after posting a mammoth 309-4 inside 43 overs. Alex Edwards 101 and Tim Dodd 116 shared a 1st wicket partnership of 220. James Newman added a further 56 not out while Matthew Reynolds took 4-78). Raj Maru bagged 4-24 as Arundel were all out for just 153.

Bognor Regis made 188-7 to score maximum points in their local derby with Pagham who were all out for just 105.

Tony Millard/Nick Clarke