SAFEGUARDING VILLAGE ETHOS

The competition data for 2005 includes a warning that sides may be thrown out of the tournament for failing to comply with the spirit of the game, as outlined in the MMC's Laws 2002 '” part of the Findon CC ethos.

Sully Centurions' team allowed their competitive edge to tarnish their on-field conduct towards Findon last year.

The all-through draw for 2005 sends Findon to play away matches all through the Sussex section to the first regional round on June 19 against the winners from Essex. After that, if still in it, they would have all home ties including the semi-final.

After a first-round bye, Findon go to Capel on May 8. The strongest-looking side in the opposite side of the Sussex draw, reckons Findon team manager Tony Iago, are Glynde and Clymping, neither of whom Findon would meet until the Sussex final. Findon defeated Clymping at that stage, at Long Furlong, last season.

Testing sides in Findon's half are Crowhurst Park, Outwood and Newick.

Following the Sully Centurions match last summer, what elapsed after the game leads to the naming of Findon player John Rogers as the recipient of Herald Sport's special but unofficial award: the Deliverer of the Sporting Statement of the Year 2004.

Rogers was camping at Sully overnight, intending to travel home instead on the Monday. After the match he and wicketkeeper Chris Smith were invited back by the Sully club to their pub celebration.

It was in this context that Rogers fearlessly criticised his hosts' players, right into their faces, about the way they had played the game they had just won.

Rogers quietly explained: "I just told them the correct way to conduct themselves on a cricket pitch. I think I was as blunt as I've ever been with anyone, so they certainly got the message.

"With 20 to 30 Sully players and officials in the pub, it soon dampened the boisterous celebrations. And fully deserved '” it just simply wasn't cricket, Richard. We did, however, manage to drink with them until 3am and, as you heard, they slipped off without saying their farewells."

In the quarter-final, Rogers had made the matchwinning hundred at Linton Park, Kent, which earned him his club's 2004 award for the Innings of the Season. In the Sussex Invitation League, for Findon in their fifth straight championship year, he led the Division 1 averages with 86. That he went in only six times was a measure of Findon's immense batting strength.

Next-best was Ifield's Graeme Dean with 59 from 14 knocks and Findon's Paul O'Sullivan with 49 from 11.

Clymping groundsman and stalwart batsman John Burrows has died. Obitury by Tony Mustard in today's Littlehampton Gazette.