VILLAGE CLASH LOOMING

FINDON and competition debutants Clymping are on a collision course in the National Village Cup and are one round away from meeting in what would be the Sussex Final at Long Furlong in June. First however, they must negotiate home ties in the Sussex semi-finals '” Findon against Crowhurst Park, who won a high-scoring clash at home to Glynde (242 to lose by 12 runs), and Clymping (see scoreboard) against Outwood from the north of the county.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th May 2004, 15:47 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:01 BST

If Findon are successful they would then meet the Hampshire champions at home but all subsequent rounds would be away from home '” in reverse pattern to their draw last year, from which they went to within a match of the Lord's final.

ALL THE characteristics that make 2003 national semi-finalists and Sussex Invitation League champions Findon a tough side to beat were on display on Sunday as they narrowly overcame a dangerous Newick side.

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Excellent fielding and a typically tight bowling display eventually proved too much for the East Sussex Division 1 side, who fell 11 runs short of their target after having earlier restricted Findon to 160 for nine from their 40 overs.

Findon, who were missing all-rounders Toby Kingsbury and John Rogers, were indebted to skipper Nigel Waller's unbeaten and, on his birthday, top-scoring 37, after a middle order collapse precipitated by elder brother Graham Waller's run out.

The opener misjudged a second run when looking well-set on 35 and was comfortably run out after a good throw from deep mid-wicket.

From 54 for two, Findon, they found themselves in the mire at 92 for five before their captain, assisted by Mark Higgins and then eldest brother Steve Waller, guided them to what seemed a slightly below-par total.

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Newick certainly would have fancied the run chase, but Findon are past masters of building pressure in these kinds of matches.

The hosts were quickly put on the back foot by James Iago, who struck two early blows to leave them struggling at 21 for three, with Nigel Waller chipping in with the other wicket.

Only Newick skipper Miles Caldwell got to grips with the Findon attack, holding the innings together with a handy 44 until he was caught superbly at cover by the diving Mark Higgins off the bowling of Steve Waller.

At 98 for six it seemed unlikely that Newick could mount a challenge, but an entertaining cameo from Chris Viggor kept them just about in touch.

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Waller boldly called upon leg-spinner Mark Stewart to bowl the last three overs and, not without experience in this situation, he held his nerve to dismiss danger man Viggor to another good catch '”this time from the birthday man himself '” before wrapping up the innings in the final over to finish with three wickets for 14.

Related topics:Sussex