Bexhill target T20 glory

THE young guns of Bexhill will be showing “no fear” when they take on Horsham in the final of Gray-Nicolls Sussex Twenty20 Cup at the County Ground, Hove, on Sunday.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Jul 2012, 09:43 BST

Bexhill start as outsiders but that should not faze them because they have already upset the odds on a run which has claimed the notable scalps of Hastings Priory and holders Preston Nomads, the latter being seen off in the last four last weekend.

“We will always go in as underdogs but we go there having no fear,” said Bexhill captain Malcolm Johnson. “It’s Twenty20 and anything can happen on the day.”

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Bexhill, whose side has an average age of just 21, booked their place in the decider with a commanding five wickets win away to a Nomads side which was restricted to 158-5. Jamie Bristow-Diamond continued his fine form with the ball by picking up 3-16 off his allotted four overs.

Jack Richardson (25) and Johnson (35) put on 64 for the opening wicket before wicketkeeper batsman Andrew Harriott compiled an undefeated 59 off just 36 balls to see the Polegrove-based outfit home with 10 balls to spare.

Horsham triumphed by 68 runs in the other semi-final after amassing a daunting total of 202-5 against Three Bridges.

As for playing at the County Ground, Johnson went on: “It’s very exciting, some of the boys have never played there before.

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“We will take each game as it comes. We don’t want to be too over confident. We’ve just got to stick to our game-plan; keep it simple and never give up.”

Bexhill expect to name the same XI that beat Nomads for the final which starts at 3pm. The line-up will be Jack Richardson, Malcolm Johnson, Tom Powell, Andrew Harriott, Tim Hambridge, Callum Guest, Shawn Johnson, Cameron Burgen, Jack Munro, Josh Beeslee and Jamie Bristow-Diamond.

Before they can focus on the final Bexhill have a crucial Sussex Premier League game away to Worthing today (Saturday).

Bexhill have won three of their last four league games - including last weekend’s defeat of defending champions Priory - and another positive result could see them leapfrog fourth-from-bottom opposition.

Sidley, meanwhile, visit Glynde & Beddingham still searching for their first win of the season in Sussex Division Two.

Related topics:BexhillSussexHoveHorsham