Priory beaten by Horsham

Adam Maharaj-Newman scored a half-century in Hastings Priory's defeat at Horsham

Priory went down by five wickets away to Horsham in the Sussex Cricket League Premier Division despite a half-century from Adam Maharaj-Newman and three wickets for Elliot Hooper.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Priory were all out for 190 in 51.1 overs. They suffered an early setback when Jake Woolley was trapped in front by Stuart Whittingham for a duck with the score just five.

Several promising partnerships followed, but none went beyond 40 as Horsham always seemed to enjoy the upper hand. Harry Finch was second man out for 11 with the score 40 and Leo Cammish followed up his unbeaten half-century against Brighton & Hove last weekend with 43 until departing at 79-3.

Imran Javed made a useful 32 at number four before falling at 115-4. Hooper was next man out for 10 just 18 runs later prior to Freddie Hulbert (20) and the in-form Maharaj-Newman - who made his highest score against Horsham of 52 - compiling a sixth wicket partnership of 40, the best of the innings.

The innings went into decline after the loss of Hulbert, though, with the last five wickets going down for only 17 runs. Michael Munday was by far the most successful Horsham bowler with 6-45 from 14.1 overs.

Horsham got off to a decent start in reply until losing their first two wickets with the score 60, Hooper snapping up fellow Sussex youngster Ben Shoare for 23 and then number three Elliott Cloy for a third ball duck.

The hosts added 49 for the third wicket before Hooper - making his first Priory appearance of the season - bowled John Burroughs for 57 off 52 balls. Jed O’Brien then dislodged Horsham captain Sam Attfield to make it 116-4.

But that was the final success of Priory’s afternoon because Craig Gallagher (68 not out from 69 balls) and Tom Johnson (35 not out off 30 deliveries) guided Horsham home in 32 overs with an unbroken fifth wicket stand of 77.