East Sussex cricket: Eastbourne ready for play-offs ... Huw beauty! ... Crowhurst Park progress

Eastbourne face Roffey in the August Cup semi-final tomorrow (Sat Sep 5) – and stand-in captain Ben Twine believes they have a very good chance of reaching the final.
Buxted Park batting against Chiddingly / Picture: Ron HillBuxted Park batting against Chiddingly / Picture: Ron Hill
Buxted Park batting against Chiddingly / Picture: Ron Hill

Eastbourne have been the form side in the August Cup, winning all their Group A1 games.

But now they face the reigning Sussex Cricket League champions Roffey - who reached the semi-final of the August Cup thanks to Brighton and Hove losing to Preston Nomads - after their home game with Three Bridges was abandoned because of an unplayable pitch.

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Tomorrow’s game is a repeat of last year’s T20 Cup final ,which saw Eastbourne triumph in a thrilling game.

Hailsham's first XIHailsham's first XI
Hailsham's first XI

But Twine is pleased with his side’s form and thinks they can carry that on.

He said: “I am incredibly pleased with how we have gone in the August Cup so far. It’s nice to see that success has been spread across the team and everyone has taken responsibility.

“Roffey have obviously been a very consistent team across the years and know how to win, but I feel very confident that if we continue to play how we have over the last month, we will be in with a very good chance to get into the final.”

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Roffey’s form going into the play-off has been patchy - they had a tie with Brighton and were beaten by Preston Nomads. But Twine knows what to expect.

Isfield v Hellingly action /  Picture: Ron HillIsfield v Hellingly action /  Picture: Ron Hill
Isfield v Hellingly action / Picture: Ron Hill

He said: “I still wouldn’t want us to underestimate them, as we know they have a few key players that have been integral in previous Premier League titles.

“They will be out for revenge after the T20 final last summer, but we have a young and hungry team that will be keen to get another one up on them.”

Eastbourne finished the group stage with a resounding 135-run win over Hastings.

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Eastbourne reached 254-6 from their 40 overs with Scott Lenham (55) and Joe Pocklington (42 not out from 19 balls) top scoring. In reply, Chris Jones (4-20) and Archie Lenham (4-26) helped bowl Hastings out for 119.

Action from Newick's game with Fletching /  Picture: Ron HillAction from Newick's game with Fletching /  Picture: Ron Hill
Action from Newick's game with Fletching / Picture: Ron Hill

Twine added: “We are incredibly lucky to have such a young and talented team with a few senior players, with great experience, to guide us through certain situations.

“The Lenham brothers have stood out with the bat and ball, with the likes of Joe Pocklington has been integral in late innings batting, scoring with a mixture of devastating power and finesse.”

Isfield v Hellingly

Isfield beat Hellingly by 168 runs after amassing 271-6 then bowling out their opponents for just 103.

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Isfield needed to win to progress in the August Cup and hope Mayfield lost.

Hellingly won the toss and bowled first and within five overs had both openers back in the pavilion.

Huw Williams and Will Chambers consolidated until Chambers was dismissed for 30, Jamie Hall scored 22 and then a mix-up saw Emile Chasseuad run out and Isfield in trouble.

Jack Fingerniessal and Williams made the most of some poor Hellingly fielding to put them to the sword and after a slow start Williams bought up a fine hundred in the last over as Isfield scored a huge 271-6.

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Hellingly captain Arthur Rossi almost managed to pull off a world-class slip catch but badly injured his eye in the process – but came back on to bowl seven overs and take two wickets.

Faced with such a daunting total Hellingly got off to the worst possible start as competition top scorer David Tungate spooned a long hop to square leg to depart for a duck, and after that Hellingly couldn’t get any momentum.

Stef Halsey ended with remarkable figures of 8-7-2-2.

After getting to 20 overs 71-4 the Hellingly innings subsided quickly as Isfield spinners James Fellows and Jack Fingerniessal took three wickets each and they were all out for 103.

Unfortunately for Isfield, Mayfield beat Hailsham to win Group B4, Isfield ending with four wins from five.

Chiddingly v Buxted Park

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Chiddingly CC were 136 all out in reply to Buxted Park’s 277-9, meaning Buxted Park won by 141 runs.

Hailsham v Mayfield

Hailsham welcomed Mayfield to a damp recreation ground looking to extend their winning streak to three games in the August Cup. The Mayfield skipper inserted Hailsham and despite a rare fast start from Wilkinson (12), Hailsham were put to the sword early on.

Peacock, Bellett and Dawber fell cheaply, and they were 20-4.

MoM Mark Renals and Ollie McDonald (34) steadied to provide an excellent platform.

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Renals was adjudged lbw on 94, just short of Hailsham’s first century of the campaign, but the damage was done.

Hicks (21) and Bala (38) accelerated and Hailsham posted an impressive 242-9.

Hailsham’s energy slowly seeped away as the Mayfield openers put bowler all over the park.

Wallace was dismissed for 36, having left his mark on the game. Fellow opener Killops kept his foot on the pedal and brought up his 100 as Hailsham watched the game slip away.

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Chaplin (31) and Saker (20) assisted Killops, who finished unbeaten on 144.

Hailsham will look to bounce back this week as the friendlies commence.

Uckfield v Hailsham 2nd

In their final game of the August Cup Hailsham wanted the win their improving performances have been leading towards.

Captain Lewis Williams elected to field with Matt Anthony (3-5) and Omar Pathan (0-23) leading the attack. Anthony got Hailsham off to the start they were hoping for.

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Ed Garbett (1-19) and Sam Mills (1-17) continued to build pressure on the batsmen. Alex Renals (2-3) picked up two quick wickets.

Ed Brook (2-11) and Anil Jose (0-11) also caused problems. Uckfield finished on 108-9.

Hailsham openers MoM Alex Renals (30) and Tim Mullins (1) set out in chase of a target which Hailsham felt was achievable.

Sam Mills (16) built a partnership with Renals to put Hailsham in a commanding position.

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Renals and Brook (4) fell before Lewis Williams (17) steadied the innings alongside Mills who looked comfortable before getting bowled.

Swansbrough (1) was soon out but Paul Mcdonald (12*) and Williams took the game away from Uckdield. Hailsham won comfortably in the end by four wickets.

Herstmonceux v Laughton

With Herstmonceux tied on points with Polegate going into the final B12 group game of the August Cup, play-off spots were likely to be decided on net run rate.

Laughton won the toss and elected to bat first on a damp pitch. Despite a bright start from James Russell (15), regular wickets soon began to tumble through Billy Hobden (4-21) and Nick Toomey (5-25).

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Despite the situation, a tidy innings from 13-year-old Sam Gillman (7) showing good technique and ability to leave the ball, was a highlight of the match.

Laughton were all out for 54 inside 15 overs, with ‘Ceux knocking the target off in the eighth over and winning by eight wickets.

At Ashburnham, Hellingly’s 3rd XI batted first scoring 235-9 from 40 overs.

Captain Liam Northorpe (92) led the attack, supported by Nathaniel Dixon (45) with wickets shared between all six Herstmonceux bowlers, and Colin Spratley finishing with 2-8.

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In reply Ceux made an excellent start through openers Paul Sandalls (52) and Mike Neilan (56) but lacked the firepower to get on top of the required run rate.

Kalyan Oruganti - one of eight Hellingly bowlers used - controlled the scoring rate, taking 3-15 from his 8 overs and seeing Hellingly win by 42 runs. This week Herstmonceux play at Little Common in the first play-off game, and the 2nd XI travel to Nutley.

Newick v Fletching

Newick won the toss and elected to field.

Right from the start Newick were “on song” keeping the runs down and taking wickets regularly.

Fletching were bowled out for 81 in 32 overs.

Lloyd Jones took 3-15 and Dan Hurkett took 4-17 from their eight-over spells. Josh Bebb top scored for Fletching with 17.

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In reply Fletching took a wicket on the first ball of their innings but Newick cruised on passing the score in the 16th over for the loss of three wickets.

Scott Warren top scored with 35no from 20 balls.

This was a good win for Newick and both the club’s first and second XIs have won their groups in the August cup and now progress through to the next round, a great achievement by all involved.

–Marion Cottingham

Hailsham 3rd v Chiddingly 2nd

Hailsham were put in but Jason Wickham (0) and Jason Head (7) soon perished at the hands of veteran Jeff Saunders.

Robin Sewell (6) fell but Dave Bennett-Tomlin (30) and Bobby Williams (29) turned things around.

MoM Ollie Brett (34) produced some big hits.

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In the reply, Ethan Dawber (1/22) and Ollie Brett (0/13) struggled to make an early impression before Tom Mills (0/28). and skipper Williams (1/27) replaced them.

Kaleigh Pavitt (0/10) and Bennett-Tomlin (1/29) did well but Pavitt picked up a shoulder injury and young Hari Bala (1/21) took over.

Chiddingly got to the target with wickets and overs in hand.

Bexhill v Crowhurst Park

Crowhurst Park went to Bexhill CC knowing a win would keep them unbeaten at the top of the group, with the opportunity of a home draw in the semi-finals of the August Cup.

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Park captain Tim Hambridge elected to bowl and Bexhill opener Liam Bryant soon found former Bexhill man Nick Peters at point off Jamie Bristow-Diamond.

Andrew Hodd joined Cameron Burgeon and they put on 62 in 15 overs. Then Tom Laver took two quick wickets, dismissing Hodd for 10 and Bexhill captain John Haffenden for 0.

Jamie Bristow-Diamond caught Shawn Johnson in the deep off Hambridge, reducing Bexhill to 65-4. Pick of the bowlers Nick Peters bowled outstandingly to claim three for five and reduce Bexhill to 141 all out.

Park lost an early wicket which brought Tom Powell in with Tim Hambridge. The two dug in to take Park to 78 before Powell was dismissed for 25, then Henry Laver was gone next ball.

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MoM Matt Constable looked like he was batting on a different pitch, punishing the Bexhill bowlers with boundaries at ease.

Hambridge fell on 49 after a fantastic captain’s knock, moving the score 130-4 and putting Park in touching distance. Constable saw Park across the line in 38th over, finishing on a fantastic 48* of fjust 35 balls.

Park finished top of the group, a fantastic achievement against many teams who were meant to be in higher divisions than them. Park tomorrow take on Keymer & Hassocks at home in the semi-final. The game starts at 12:30pm – support would be appreciated.

Battle 2nd v Pevensey 3rd

On a damp wicket, Battle were asked to bat first against good swing bowling by Josh Dowsett (2 for 6) and Cameron Hoadley.

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A dogged third-wicket stand between Stuart Reeves (29) and Doug Newhouse put them in a good position.

Late runs from Kieran Dudgeon (11) and Manny Batchelor (14*) gave Battle a sporting chance at 130-6.

Pevensey were oon in trouble at 28-4 with Callum Brand (2 for 12), Leigh Tullett and Michael Dudgeon inflicting the early damage.

Dallaway made an impressive 54, but George Harris and Kieran Dudgeon (4-15) made the difference.

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Fine catches from Tullett and Reeves, along with tight ground fielding, meant Pevensey ended ten runs short.

Battle’s first XI fell to Pevensey firsts.

Linton Park Sunday v Battle Sunday

The Kent side’s opener Alex Keller cut and drove well for his 41 until Guy Ballard held a fine catch at mid-off.

Freddie Taylor (23), Abishek Pushpavinothan (18) and Tom Roxburgh (28) contributed but Roger Soan (1-28) and Michael Dudgeon’s 2-29 kept the home side in check at 141-5. A sixth wicket stand of 87 between Tom Beeney (48*) and William Roxburgh (30*) allowed a declaration on 228-5.

Jordan Austin (2-19), Henry Bourdillon (1-20) and the spin of Anton Bourdillon (2-25) left the visitors 38-4.

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There followed a splendid 116-run partnership between George Harris (57*) and Ballard.

Ballard fell to Austin for 89. Tullett (23) looked dangerous but, when he fell to Keeler (2-8), the last pair hung on for a draw.

Robertsbridge Junior XI v Battle Junior XI

This was an opportunity to give some match time to some young Battle players who haven’t much cricket this summer, and the enthusiasm was obvious despite the damp weather.

Robertsbridge’s young side chose to bat first. Toby Waring made 10 before being yorked by Acer Roesch, and Will Carey added 14 towards the end before falling to Callum Brand.

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Battle’s bowling was straight and tight though there were also wickets for Louis Berryman, Lucia Brand and Ed Truscott), and this was probably the decisive factor on the night, but it was also well-supported by their ground fielding. At 65 for 5 for Robertsbridge it looked a competitive score in gloomy conditions, but was perhaps a little light in the end.

In reply, Battle’s running between the wickets was well-judged and got them well on their way with a good opening stand of 50 between Wilf Truscott and Josh Bennett before retirement.

Jack Maynard also hit one or two crunching blows before falling to Sam Wilkinson, and there was also a wicket for Waring. In the end, with Seb Starr batting securely, Battle were able to get home with a couple of overs to spare.

Sedlescombe v Winchelsea

In a 35-over friendly, Winchelsea got a good start with the bat with a partnership of 93 before Roger Tidyman (37) was bowled by B Harvey. Harvey finished with 3-37, including of Ben Phillimore (47) leaving Winchelsea on 98-3.

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A partnership of 72 boosted Winchelsea before Phil Wheeler (26) was bowled by I Harvey (1-26). Luke Cross was dismissed for 49 by K Malone (2-29). Will Wheeler (16) helped Winchelsea score 201-6.

Sedlescombe had a good start in reply before Alex Stone took 5-37, including W Harvey (10) and P Holland (18).

John Josiah (1-31) dismissed B Patel (27). With the score 86-6 Winchelsea looked in control but a partnership of 57 put the game in the balance which ended when B Harvey (19) was dismissed by Luke Cross (2-29).

F Holland (44) fellto Ben Phillimore (2-36). I Harvey finished on 13 not out as Sedlescombe were 168 all out.

WG Gracefully v Crowhurst

Crowhurst travelled to Isfield and put the home team in.

Crowhurst restricted Gracefully to 255.

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Pick of the bowling was M Murray who conceded only ten in eight overs. Crowhurst’s opening pair were comfortable until Alex White was caught out for 80 and Alex Murray bowled for 78.

Despite all the batters being capable of putting runs on the board, Crowhurst fell 33 runs short.

Westfield v Robertsbridge 2nd

Westfield finished their August Cup campaign with five wins out of five.

Peter Baker’s side completed the full house with a last-over success at home to Robertsbridge seconds.

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Westfield elected to field, but Robertsbridge openers Martin Simms (78) and Alex White (45) batted well.

Phil Dalton ran out White, but Lee Mardell finished on 45 not out as Robertsbridge posted 219-6 from their 40 overs. Jon Gardner took 2-30 from his eight overs.

Westfield got off to the worst possible start, Kevin Allman recording his second duck in as many weeks and skipper Baker falling for four.

Mark Sztyber (71), MoM Todd Tucker (91) and Bhavik Patel (19 not out) saw Westfield to victory with three balls remaining.

Bexhill 2nd v Crowhurst Park 2nd

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After two disappointing defeats Bexhill seconds ended their season on a high.

Bexhill were asked to bat first. Opening pair Gary Wicks and Ali Kent got Bexhill to 76 before Wicks fell for 31 off James Bunday.

Ben Phillimore built on the start and when Kent fell for 51, getting the 50 he’d deserved all season, he and Phillimore had taken the score to 129.

James Walker went for six to Julian Buss but Paul Crittenden batted superbly with Phillimore, who finished 41 not out, playing big shots and running hard to strike 31 not out and guide Bexhill to 192-3.

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In the reply, Joel Cheshire removed James Wilson for four which brought Martin Barry to the crease. Byron Smith bowled him for 14 leaving Crowhurst 30-2. Buss was removed by Francis and when Derick Longley fell to the bowling of Phillimore, Bexhill were seriously on top, the score 58-4.

Josh Barraclough became Francis’s second victim for 14, a smart run-out by captain Will Smith removed Dan Flanagan for 28, and Phillimore bowled Ollie Constable to see Crowhurst slip to 78-7.

Keith Hobbs fell to Francis and only some big hitting from Josh Jones and smart batting from James Bunday was preventing a swift end.

Byron Smith returned to snare Bunday for 22 and last man Lekhan Mestha was run out by Francis to wrap up the innings for 143, Jones finishing 32 not out.

Bexhill showed what they capable of in this game and there are promising signs for the young side. Captain Will Smith thanked everyone for their support this season.