Damp start for cricket clubs

BEXHILL and Sidley Cricket Clubs are simply hoping to get on the field after their opening two Sussex Second Division matches were both lost to the weather.

Sidley entertain Haywards Heath on Saturday May 15 while Bexhill face the more unenviable task of a trip to Cuckfield who swamped Worthing by 10 wickets on Saturday.

Regardless of the opposition though, Bexhill skipper Steve Phillimore is just looking forward to playing again. He said: "Cuckfield are one of the better sides but it's a nice ground and we're all chomping at the bit. Some of them have got a couple of games under their belt playing for the seconds and on Sunday so people have had some time out in the middle. It has been disappointing but I've seen it worse than this before."

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Their task is going to be made all the made difficult by the unavailability of Mark Nightingale, Mark Roughley and Richard Harrison. Jeff Topp will come in but Phillimore is waiting on the availability of Lloyd Waughman.

Sidley captain Scott Woodroffe commented: "It is a bit frustrating but it has been a blessing in disguise in some ways because unfortunately Faisal (Naved, their overseas player who was due to finally arrive on Wednesday after eventually obtaining his visa) didn't manage to get his visa in time for the weekend.

"We've not really been able to get much practice in: we've only been able to manage one proper net session. A lot of the team haven't really picked up a bat but I'm sure nearly every other team's in the same position as us."

Some of the first team members were hoping to have a knock in the Berty Joel Trophy match against Kent over-50s on Wednesday in a team that was due to include Bexhill's Australian Bryce Turnbull.