Priory edge exciting cricket derby

Bexhill and Hastings Priory fought out a thrilling local derby to kick-off the new cricket season.

Priory eventually ran out winners by just 11 runs on the opening day of the 2010 Sussex League Premier Division campaign.

Ian Ellis took six wickets as Priory slumped to 95-9 after being put into bat, but last pair Joe Lamb (42 not out) and Mick Glazier (10) took them up to 152.

Newly-promoted Bexhill wound up just short in reply despite 36 from Tim Hambridge as John Morgan picked up four wickets and Josh Poysden three.

Elsewhere, Sidley opened their Division Three (East) campaign with a 45-run victory at home to Crawley in which Peter King scored a magnificent 132.

King and Bradley Holt (66) put on 176 for the first wicket as Sidley declared on 249-2 before bowling Crawley out for 204 with Matt Taylor bagging 5-61.

Full reports on both matches will appear in Friday's Observers.