East Sussex cricket: Hailsham held up ... They're Crow-ing at Hastings ... Little Common beat Bexhill in vital clash

Hailsham v Chiddingly

On an overcast afternoon, Hailsham stand-in captain Tom McDonald won the toss and elected to field.

Opening bowlers Clint Mooiman (0-22) and Tom McDonald (3-25) beat the outside edge regularly and McDonald got the breakthrough, trapping George Lofthouse lbw for 2. But Alasdair Skan and Jack Meacher rebuilt.

Bellett (2-20) replaced Mooiman, and bowled Skan for 25. Shibin Abraham (2-30) bowled Paul Saunders for 8 then Bellett dismissed Marcus Waters for 11.

Sam Mills (3-13) bowled Meacher for 29 before Mills had Phill Dunn caught at mid-off by Rob Wilkinson for 3. Tom McDonald quickly dismissed the lower order. Chiddingly were bowled out for 116.

Hailsham openers Rob Wilkinson (2) and Ciaran Peacock (37) set about chasing the total. Wilkinson was trapped lbw and James Bellett (0) was run out.

Ollie McDonald (7) was caught at cover. Meanwhile Peacock was rotating strike well at the other end. Gareth Morgans (18) played fluently before chipping one back to the bowler.

Harry Chatfield (16*) and Peacock began to make scoring look easier but Peacock fell with single figures needed. Harry Chatfield and Tom Hicks (0*) saw Hailsham home to a first win in the August Cup. MoM was Sam Mills for an excellent spell of 3-13.

Denton v Hailsham 3rd

Hailsham thirds travelled to Denton in search oftheir first win of the August Cup and elected to bat. But Steve Bowden (3) and Jason Wickham (0) were soon out.

Joginder Panwar (2) soon followed but Bobby Williams (30) scored well.

No5 Ed Brook (21) played some astonishing drives but with wickets falling the skipper brought in experienced Robin Sewell (13).

Williams was bowled with the ball deflecting off his box and on to the bails for the second game running. Downs (31) hit some massive sixes into the road. Tom Mills (13) was out after some well placed shots.

Ollie Brett (19*) hit his first ball for six, Downs went and Ethan Dawbed (15*) came in and hit a six to cow corner.

Hailsham finished on a respectable 157-8.

When Hailsham bowled Brook (0-19) and Joginder Panwar (0-30) had no luck.

Tom Mills, Bobby Williams, Ollie Brett and Jason Wickham all went wicketless but Ethan Dawber took the only wicket, stopping the opener from getting a century. Dawber was named MoM.

Herstmonceux v Firle

In the August Cup, Firle asked Hertsmonceux to bat only to see many batsmen make solid contributions.

Ryan Bennett top-scored (66) and despite a brief middle-order wobble, the lower order lifted the Ceux total to 265-7 from 40 overs.

Firle were in trouble with Nick Toomey (5-16) taking four early wickets and they were all out for 123.

Herstmonceux 2nd XI went to play Sidley on a damp Hastings ridge. Sidley struggled but Mark Gransden (23) and Jacob McDonough (12) helped them along.

The match was reduced after a break to attend to an injured Herstmonceux player. Paul Sandalls (3-4) and Dale Mayhew (3-9) each did well. Mayhew top-scored as Ceux won by eiight wickets.

Eastbourne excited by winner-takes-all clash.

We must do better all-round, says Hastings skipper.

Hastings Priory II v Crowhurst Park

Crowhurst Park enjoyed more August Cup success at Horntye Park.

Park were asked to bowl in damp conditions. Problems with the bowlers’ footing led to a few extras and deliveries which opener Brad Smith punished.

Skipper Tim Hambridge helped stem the runs while Jamie Bristow-Diamond removed opener Dylan Wooley for 7.

Tight bowling from Nick Peters and Pete Harris forced loose shots and it was 100-3 with Smith out for 46. Park took regular wickets and Hastings finished on 161.

Pck of the bowlers were Nick Peters and Pete Harris.

Park didn’t get off to the best start, losing Hambridge (10) early to Joe Adams. But Tom Powell joined Joe Lovell and they forged a brilliant partnership.

Lovell and Powell began to pick the bowlers apart and pick up boundaries at will. They put on 100 for the second wicket before a comical run out accounted for Lovell on 48 with the score on 126.

Park finished the chase inside 28 overs thanks to Tom Powell’s fantastic 72 not out off 66 balls.

The victory saw Park stay top of their group, with momentum to take into their home match against Eastbourne 2nd XI on Saturday.

Crowhurst Park II v Westfield

Westfield made it three wins out of three in the August Cup with a 74-run victory away to Crowhurst Park thirds.

On a wet wicket at Claremont School, Crowhurst skipper Justin Harley had asked Westfield to bat.

Westfield owed their eventual total to Darren Corke’s patient 86 not out. He was assisted by Kevin Allman (27) and Todd Tucker (19no.

Park’s star bowler was Seb Cobbold with 8-4-15-2.

On an improving wicket, the hosts lost both openers, but Tom Ayres played nicely and was aided by some dropped catches until being removed by former Park player Phil Dalton for 35.

Park’s batting crumbled as Jon Gardner (4-24) and Dalton (3-35) produced useful spells. Westfield MoM was Corke for his superb innings and excellent fielding.

Westfield v Sedlescombe

Sedlescombe retained the annual Cornford Cup by beating Westfield in a game of more than 500 runs.

On an excellent track, Sedlescombe won the toss and batted first.

Openers Paul Feakins and Delroy Reid made 83 and 58.

Bhavik Patel removed the openers, but Alex Coombs (25), Perry Holland (46) and former Westfield player Adam Page (40) helped Sedlescombe reach a big total.

Westfield lost wickets on a regular basis in reply and only Mark Sztyber (70) showed real resistance in the top order. Captain Patrick Edwards (33) and James Smith (22) to ensured Westfield reached a respectable 203 all out.

Sedlescombe gave everyone a bowl. Stephen Cornford with 2-19 and Beth Harvey with 2-11 had the most joy.

Robertsbridge v Winchelsea

Winchelsea travelled to Robertsbridge for a Sunday friendly. On losing the toss the visitors were asked to bowl first and after a heavy shower the game began.

Winchelsea made an early breakthrough with a run-out in the first over from a direct hit from wicketkeeper Phil Wheeler. A second-wicket partnership steadied the innings before Matt Wilkinson (44) was lbw to John Josiah.

Simon Livett scored 101, John Josiah claimed the wicket of Jack Flint (20) and Dean Chapman (40no) and Simon Farthers (18no) saw Robertsbridge to 248-4.

In reply, Roger Tidyman (25) was caught and bowled by Luke Flint (1-29) following an opening partnership of 55.

Opener Callum Preece kept the scoreboard moving.

Phil Wheeler and Preece put on 92 before Preece was out for 104. Phil Wheeler (82no) and Mick Wheeler (18no) saw Winchelsea home.

Bexhill II v Little Common

The two unbeaten sides in Group B7 met at the Polegrove.

Bexhill won the toss and bowled first but good stroke play and missed chances allowed Common to reach 50 before the introduction of Will Edwards swung the game back Bexhill’s way.

Edwards dismissed Tom Rose (28), George Crathern (2), Tom Crathern (9) and Common slipped to 60-3. Dangerman Ethan Guest scored through a variety of shots and good running. Jon Meredith and Alex Coombs were out to leave Common 82-5.

Mark Hopkinson (22) put on 73 with Guest. Hopkinson was bowled by Byron Smith in the penultimate over and Guest followed in the last, bowled by Evan Gill, for 65. Paul Feakins (3*) and Ed Feist (7*) saw Common post 167-7. Bexhill’s wicket takers were Edwards (4), Byron Smith (1), Jamie Wicks (1) and Gill (1).

In reply, Bexhill started quickly through Gary Wicks and Ali Kent. Wicks hit a quick 23 and Kent went for 21 to a direct hit run-out.

Daniel Clifford removed Will Edwards (8) and Bexhill were 60-3.

Clifford picked up Will Smith (6) and he and Tom Crathern, whose economy rate was an impressive 1.25, caused the runs to dry up.

George Crathern picked up Joel Cheshire (12) and Jamie Wicks (7) which left Bexhill 84-6 with ten overs to go and Little Common in charge. Paul Crittenden (15) and Byron Smith put on 29 for the next wicket before Crittenden fell to a fantastic caught and bowled from Crathern.

Byron Smith (17) was bowled by Meredith, Charlie Francis (15*) and Gill (8) kept the score ticking over but 41 from the last three overs was too much, Jimmy Bywater the last man out. Bexhill finished 18 runs short.

Bexhill will highlight a number of factors which contributed to their downfall, but it can take nothing away from a Common side who posted a competitive totaland bowled and fielded well.

Herstmonceux II v Sidley

Sidley’s unbeaten record this summer came to a shuddering halt on Saturday.

After four consecutive victories, an experimental side lost by eight wickets against a good Herstmonceux second team in their latest friendly.

In damp conditions early on, Sidley were bowled out for 81 in 23.5 overs. Mark Gransden top-scored with 23, while Paul Oxborrow and Jacob McDonough were the only others in double figures with 12 apiece. In reply, Herstmonceux needed 16 overs to knock off the runs.

Steve Ramsden and debutant Dan Reason were Sidley’s wicket-takers, while Sam Laycock impressed in his six overs.

Sidley send best wishes to the young Herstmonceux player who suffered a serious injury while fielding.

Battle v Mountfield

At 2pm, the heavens opened and the distant Downs disappeared in a greyish, damp murk. However, by 2.30pm play began – but the wicket had a bit of rain-induced bounce and skid which gave encouragement to Mountfield’s seamers.

Battle’s openers initially survived and began to prosper. Laurence Flint (30) cut well, while Tim Dudgeon drove and nudged well until Pavity ducked one back to bowl Flint, and Dudgeon (20) fell backing up at the non-striker’s end.

Skipper Carthew (28) also edged Tidmarsh behind after some powerful drives and Battle’s position began to decline. Harry Watson’s 2-18 kept a lid on acceleration despite a hard-hitting 35* from George Howard-Smith.

Mountfield’s reply on a dried pitch with blue sky overhead saw Howard-Smith (2-16) bowl a lively spell of seam, Guy Ballard (2-28) delivered fine balls, and there was a wicket apiece for Michael Dudgeon and Callum Brand. Harry Watson’s quickfire 25 and George Mannion (42*) and Tidmarsh (15*) took their side to victory.

Bearsted v Glynde

Glynde are looking forward to a big Village Cup clash with Hertfordshire side Redbourn on Sunday – after winning in the last round in the most dramatic way possible.

Away to Bearsted, Glynde won the toss and elected to bat on an excellent looking track.

However Glynde skipper Alex Thornhill was out to a brilliant catch off the third ball.

Opener Archie Burrows steadied the innings with a well-constructed 43, while Charlie Hobden (55) blasted a quickfire half century.

But with the game evenly poised at 123-3 from 23 overs, the heavens opened and no further play was possible.

This meant with the game having to be finished on the day, a bowl-out was to decide the game, which involved each player having to bowl one ball at a set of stumps.

Glynde were virtually out after 14 balls had been bowled with Bearsted having struck twice without a single Glynde player hitting the stumps.

However, vice-captain Robbie Mouland finally hit the stumps for Glynde.

Tom Pedley hit with Glynde’s next ball to make it 2-2 and Glynde wicketkeeper Matt Cramp made it 3-2 to Glynde with one ball left.

Unfortunatly for Bearsted their last bowler failed to strike the stumps and Glynde went through to the last 16 of the competition

Glynde are at home to Redbourn from Hertfordshire this Sunday (August 23).

Please come along and support the lads in their efforts to reach the quarter-finals - they really do appreciate all the support they get.

Buxted Park v Isfield

Buxted Parklost to Isfield in the August Cup.

Winning the toss, captain Craig Olive elected to bowl in humid and overcast conditions perfect for swing bowling.

Olive (2/38) and his brother Liam (1/31) removed both openers for 0. But Will Chambers (38) and Huw Williams (37) begun to take the attack to the bowlers and struck several boundaries.

Isfield had rebuilt to 72-2 when Nick Cockcroft (4/30) removed Chambers and Williams.

From here, Buxted managed to pull the game back to 129-8 when Neil Thornicroft (16*) and Martin Wise (27*) joined at the crease to add some important runs for Isfield, leaving them 176-9 at their close.

Buxted started slowly, mostly down to very strong bowling from Isfield openers Huw Williams (3/23) and Stef Halsey (4/13), who didn’t allow the batsmen any ‘freebies’ early on.

Buxted were in big trouble at 38-5 off 20 overs, when Red Barnes (31) and Tom Clift, who had dislocated his finger in the first innings, came to the crease and brought Buxted back into the game at 72-5. Wickets continued to fall and there was too much work to do when the Olives reconvened at 102-8.

Despite good late hitting Buxted were all out for 136 in 34.5 overs.

Buxted’s 2nd XI continued their exceptional run in the August Cup, with runs for Finley Coddington and Alfie Hunter in a successful chase at Dicker. The 3rd XI beating Tunbridge Wells in a friendly, with good performances from Toby Leonard and Ollie Loach. - by Dom Heater

Buxted Park’s Alfie Hunter scored another unbeaten century... this time playing for the under-16 team

At the Sussex Junior Cricket Festival, after scoring unbeaten tons for the under-14s, as featured in the Express last week, Hunter repeated the trick in the U16s’ total of 235-4 declared. Lewes Priory could only manage 194 all out.

Fletching v Barcombe

A score of 129 from captain Ben Chapman helped Fletching to a 38-run August Cup win over Barcombe.

Fletching totalled 234-6 and Barcombe were 196 all out in reply.

Mayfield

BACA College student Steve Harman is celebrating his results - with plans to play cricket in Australia before going to university.

Harman, a member of BACA’s Aldridge Cricket Academy who plays for Mayfield CC, said: “I got distinctions in both BTEC Sport and Sport Science which I am delighted with.

“All the staff at BACA College have really supported me.

“I have been part of the Aldridge Cricket Academy during my time at BACA College. The opportunity to play cricket alongside studying for my exams isn’t something other colleges offer. My plans are to tour in Australia for six months, playing with the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy, .”