Three Bridges one wicket away from victory against Eastbourne

Danny Alderman won the toss and elected to bat on what looked a decent pitch, with new opening pair Conor Golding and Kiwi overseas Ben Speake.

The pair put on a steady partnership of 30 before Golding was bowled by Pulford for 6.

Richie Webber joined Speake and the pair put on the highest partnership of the day of 68, both rotating the strike well against some tight Eastbourne bowling, and just as Webber looked to open his shoulders he got a short one which skidded on from Hartley and was trapped in front for a well made 37.

Bridges continued to plough on, with Speake looking to bat through the innings with the others playing their shots around him.

There were some good cameos from Brad Gayler (19) and Ollie Blandford (14) in support of Speake, who was closing in on his maiden century when his mistimed a drive and was well caught on the boundary for 93, 7 agonising runs short of a deserved ton.

However his effort enabled Bridges to reach 200-9 in their allotted overs, David Twine the pick of the Eastbourne bowlers with 5-50.

The Eastbourne reply got off to the worst start possible when in the second over, Ollie Blandford bounced opener Finzel and beat him for pace when his top edged hookwas well caught by bucket hands Tim Moses at fine leg.

Tomsett and Sussex keeper Callum Jackson tried to consolidate against some very good bowling from both Moses and Blandford, and took the score to 38 before Club Chairman and veteran Adrian Chappell bowled an absolute jaffar to remove Tomsett for 25. Speake then had Wells stumped for 0 and Eastbourne were 45-3.

Eastbourne kept chipping away at the total but Bridges seemed to be able to pick up wickets at crucial times, firstly Phelps was well caught by Chappell off Speake for 15 and then skipper Danny Alderman got in on the act, getting Cooke well caught at slip by Speake.

Moses then returned to remove the dangerous Jackson for a well made 65, and when Alderman had Gallichan well caught behind by Gyaler and Moses had Luke Tomsett brilliantly caught by Mike Rose in the covers, Eastbourne were 143-8 and. Bridges smelled victory.

However it was not to be as Twine and Hartley batted sensibly taking Eastbourne to 177 before Rose bowled Twine, giving Bridges nine balls to gain victory.

Sadly it was not to be as the last pair held firm to leave Bridges with 12 points and Eastbourne 11. Some good bowling figures all round for Bridges, Speake (2-19), Alderman (2-20) and Moses (2-34) the pick.

Bridges entertain Brighton and Hove at the Barker Meads Ground on Saturday and the Sussex Academy on Sunday, if they can win both of these games they will be right in the mix at the top of the table.