Monsoon weather hits Bexhill promotion bid

Fourth-placed Bexhill, who had beaten the leaders on their own patch earlier in the season, were confident of victory before the rain came down.

Bexhill director of cricket Jeff Chinn said: "We were looking to do the double over them and we would have really liked to have had a go at them. But the wicket was like a duck pond so it wasn't to be."

The outcome seemed improbable as the Bexhill fielders suffered in the hot conditions after the home side had elected to bat first.

Neil Turk hit an undefeated 99 off 117 balls and support came from Alex Edwards (32) and Donald Campbell (27). Captain Sam Roberts (4-88) tried to suppress the leaders, while talented 16-year-old Lloyd Waughman claimed 2-33 and Mark Nightingale 1-40.

The Bexhill reply finally got underway after an extended tea break due to rain, but within a few overs the umpires had to abandon the game as a thunderstorm hit The Polegrove, leaving the wicket under water.

Bexhill visit Cuckfield tomorrow (Saturday) hoping to get the precious win that will put their promotion bid back on track.

Chinn said: "It is a very important game to win. We will have a good go, but they are a much better side than last year and they beat us at The Polegrove, so it will be difficult."

He blames a lack of consistency as the main cause for Bexhill's stop-start season, saying: "The games that East Grinstead and Stirlands have lost were against us. Our trouble is that we lose to the lower teams like Littlehampton and Lewes. If we win three of the last four games we would have every chance."

Bexhill go into the game without Nightingale and Waughman, so youngsters Richie Harrison and Mark Abblitt deputise.EAST GRINSTEAD 242-7 (10pts)

BEXHILL 8-0 (8pts)