Title talk not a hot topic at Horsham - just yet

Horsham captain James Johnson says league position is not a hot topic in the dressing room this season for the Premier Division leaders.
DM16121491a.jpg Cricket: Horsham (batting) V Hastings. James Johnson. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-160406-230112008DM16121491a.jpg Cricket: Horsham (batting) V Hastings. James Johnson. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-160406-230112008
DM16121491a.jpg Cricket: Horsham (batting) V Hastings. James Johnson. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-160406-230112008

The early pacesetters maintained a 27-point lead over Cuckfield with their 113-run victory over Hastings & St Leonards Priory on Saturday.

It was the Lions’ fourth win from six games this year and sees them also lead third-placed East Grinstead, who have played a game less, by 36 points.

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But while title talk isn’t banned at Cricketfield Road, it is just not on anyone’s radar – not yet at least.

That is because with two winnable games in the coming weeks, before a showdown with champions and rivals Roffey, Johnson is aware they could be in a good position at the midway stage of the season.

He said: “To be honest, in previous years we have talked about the league quite a lot, it’s been a big focal point, but we haven’t really mentioned it.

“When we have our pre-game chats, most of it is about what we can do to win the game we are playing.

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“It is breathing a reign of confidence being top of the league, but no-one is taking it for granted.

“We have got fixtures we should win in the next couple of weeks against Worthing and Billingshurst by the time we play Roffey on June 25.

“If we can win the next couple and I would like to think we would, by the time we play Roffey, if we give that a good crack, we could be sitting in a fairly strong position.

“That is in three weeks’ time though and we will take one game at a time before that.

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“I have got to say everyone is really happy and the majority of the time and doing well.”

And that is a key factor for the Horsham skipper, the fact his batsmen are firing and bowlers – led by the illustrious Michael Munday – are also doing the business.

Johnson added: “Before this weekend it was probably just me that had to put my hand up and play an innings.

“Joe Ludlow, Craig Gallagher, my brother (Tom Johnson), Tom Haines, Michael Thornely and Jofra Archer had all chipped in with a score.

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“It’s great for confidence that the batting line-up is all firing and Michael is doing his thing and everyone is supporting him.”

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