We showed what we can do, says Bexhill skipper

Johnathan Haffenden felt Bexhill's cricketers '˜showed what they can do' as they returned to winning ways last weekend.
Liam Bryant goes on the drive for Bexhill against Brighton & Hove last weekend. Picture by Justin Lycett (SUS-160620-094635002)Liam Bryant goes on the drive for Bexhill against Brighton & Hove last weekend. Picture by Justin Lycett (SUS-160620-094635002)
Liam Bryant goes on the drive for Bexhill against Brighton & Hove last weekend. Picture by Justin Lycett (SUS-160620-094635002)

Bexhill put a couple of heavy recent defeats behind them with an impressive 108-run win at home to Brighton & Hove in the Sussex Premier League.

“Everything clicked this week and it showed what we can do,” said Bexhill captain Haffenden. “It was a good all-round performance; the boys did well.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Shawn Johnson top-scored with an unbeaten 67 as Bexhill totalled 206-8 having been asked to bat. They then bowled Brighton out for 98.

“Everyone did what they were asked to,” continued Haffenden, who is mystified at how some of the club’s talented young players haven’t been called up by the Sussex Development XI.

“Liam (Bryant) and Callum (Guest) built the innings, and did very well to get us into a position where Shawn could come in and play how he did - he’s a quality bat.

“The outfield was slow and I would’ve been happy with 160, 180 so 206 you’re going in very confident.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We bowled well up top and we had four very good spinners who were just too good for them. We fielded better as well.”

Bexhill coach Sam Roberts was the most successful bowler with 3-11 from nine overs having been added to the side as the one permitted overseas player, with South African paceman Aidan Brooker dropping to the seconds.

“It’s not a negative move,” explained Haffenden. “We’re lucky enough that we can do it; other clubs can’t. We’ve got two very good pros so we would be stupid not to use them.”

As well as his players, Haffenden also had praise for the work done by Mick Waghorn to ensure the pitch and ground were in good condition, despite the previous day’s deluge.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’d like to say how well Wags did,” said Haffenden. “He made sure the covers were on every day and it played well - it was nice to bat on and it spun. Fair play to him.”

Bexhill remain sixth in the table, but are now just 26 points outside the top three and have a game in hand on three of the teams above.

“We spoke about the next five weeks, from last week, being big for us,” added Haffenden. “We’ve started positively so let’s hope we can carry it on.”

Next up today (Saturday) is a trip to second-placed Cuckfield, whose line-up is likely to include Big Bash League star Jordan Silk.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’re looking forward to it,” said Haffenden. “It’s nice to play against big players, but he’s a batter so one ball and it could be game over.

“It always turns at Cuckfield and we’ve always gone in there seamer-heavy.”

Seam bowler Byron Smith is unlikely to be promoted from the seconds despite his remarkable eight-wicket haul last weekend.

“Anyone who can take eight wickets in a game has to be talked about, but unfortunately he’s just got a couple of seamers ahead of him who are pretty decent,” added Haffenden, who will be without Guest due to work.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

* Corporate hospitality tickets are now on sale for Bexhill’s hotly-anticipated visit from Lashings All-Stars on Saturday September 10.

Interested parties can email [email protected] or [email protected]

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make this website your homepage

2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex

3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Related topics: