Williams and Sunderland fire EP to victory despite mid-innings collapse

EP captain Richard Laker won the toss in the West Sussex Invitation League Division 1 match and elected to bowl as he felt the pitch was still a bit wet and it would favour bowling first.

EP were in control throughout much of Southwater’s innings, although were made to pay for dropping Johann Brouwer twice as he went on to score 97, off 118 balls, with 16 fours and one six, before he was fifth man out with the score on 166.

Late big-hitting from Nick Baker, who struck 37 from 19 balls, and Danny Humphreys, who hit 25 off 15 deliveries, boosted Southwater as they finished their 49 overs on 219-6.

East Preston started their reply brightly and opening batsmen Gary Weedon and Chris Williams put on 98 for the first wicket, before Weedon fell for 34.

Williams was third man out for 75 after striking nine fours and three sixes from 95 balls and EP then stuttered as they fell to 187-6 and then 204-7. However, Jack Sunderland remained calm and guided East Preston home with an over to spare as he finished 50 not out, from 42 balls, which included six fours and two sixes.

Laker said: “We won the toss and decided to bowl as, despite the good weather, the pitch was still a little wet and we felt it would favour bowling first. Everybody bowled extremely well, with only Johann for Southwater looking good, even though we gave him three lives, having dropped him twice.

“Southwater looked to be struggling to post a notable score until the lower-middle order hit out to push them to 219.

“In reply, Gary and Chris made easy work to start with and an easy win look on the cards.

“Then, the famous EP batting collapse looked to want to show its face again, but the ever-impressing Jack Sunderland helped himself to a very well-worked 50 not out to see us home, supported by Matt Laker, who elegantly smashed the winning runs.”

EP took 22 points from the game but still dropped a place to third as Portslade took all 30 points from their win at Selsey to go second.