Horsham lose ground in title race with shock Bexhill defeat

CRICKET: Sussex League Premier Division: East Grinstead (fielding) v Horsham. Joe Ludlow .  Pic Steve Robards  SR1619237 SUS-160407-143212001CRICKET: Sussex League Premier Division: East Grinstead (fielding) v Horsham. Joe Ludlow .  Pic Steve Robards  SR1619237 SUS-160407-143212001
CRICKET: Sussex League Premier Division: East Grinstead (fielding) v Horsham. Joe Ludlow . Pic Steve Robards SR1619237 SUS-160407-143212001

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Horsham lost ground in the Premier Division title race when they suffered a shock 114-run defeat at the hands of Bexhill.

The result combined with local rivals Roffey’s win against East Grinstead, puts third-placed Horsham 27 points behind the leaders, who have a game in hand.

It was a day to forget for James Johnson’s side as they were skittled for just 114 in chasing Bexhill’s 255-5.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Skipper Johnson said: “It was pretty disappointing, we were pretty careless.

“To give us the best possible chance we needed to keep them to about 220. We helped them in the field with our bowling.

“We didn’t really have the energy to get wickets, while they were ruthless up top.

“Bexhill didn’t give a chance and made us work really, really hard and put us on the back foot.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Shawn Johnson scored a remarkable 120 in 148 balls which included five sixes and six fours as the visitors won the toss and elected to bat.

Opening batsman Sam Roberts also scored 91 and the pair were the difference between the two sides as they combined to put on 208 runs for the second wicket.

Bexhill went on to amass 255-4 from their 58-over innings. In reply, Horsham opening batsman Joe Ludlow (38) made a good start with a 44-strong first-wicket stand with Craig Gallagher.

However Horsham lost regular wickets from that point onward, the only players making double figures being Gallagher (15), Tom Johnson (14) and Paul Williams (16).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bexhill’s bowling duo Josh Beeslee took 5-32 and Roberts claimed 4-27.

Johnson added: “Batting, we started well at 30-1 off three overs but we lost wickets in clusters, we were careless. Everyone knows we really under-performed.

“All we can do is put it right this Saturday when we are away to Hastings. It will be tough as they beat Preston Nomads earlier in the season.”

Horsham will be without their captain, who is unavailable, and will be skippered instead by Michael Thornely.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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

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!

Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice