Sussex Cricket League round-up

Preston Nomads consolidated top spot in the Sussex Cricket League yesterday (Saturday).
Kellen Powell batting for Crowhurst Park in their Division Two defeat at home to Worthing. Picture by Steve Hunnisett (SUS-140726-165241002)Kellen Powell batting for Crowhurst Park in their Division Two defeat at home to Worthing. Picture by Steve Hunnisett (SUS-140726-165241002)
Kellen Powell batting for Crowhurst Park in their Division Two defeat at home to Worthing. Picture by Steve Hunnisett (SUS-140726-165241002)

The defending champions enjoy a 23-point cushion at the top of the Premier League table on the back of a five-wicket victory at home to Horsham.

Patrick Spencer took 6-31 as Horsham could muster only 130 batting first despite 38 from Tom Johnson. Nomads were 59-5 at one point in reply until Robert Wakeford (38 not out) and Kashif Ibrahim (33 not out) saw them home.

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Second-placed East Grinstead won by nine wickets in a high scoring clash away to Eastbourne. The hosts totalled 252-8 batting first with captain Mark Tomsett compiling an unbeaten 83, but Grinstead lost only one wicket in reaching their target thanks to an unbroken second wicket stand of 194 between Will Adkin (102 not out) and Alex Carey (106 not out).

Roffey are just behind Grinstead in third following a seven-wicket win at home to bottom club Hastings Priory. Rohit Jagota claimed 6-41 as Hastings were all out for 171 batting first before hitting 49 not out off 27 balls to guide Roffey home for the loss of three wickets. Mike Norris top-scored with 54.

Bexhill remain in the final safe spot of eighth despite losing by 81 runs away to Cuckfield. The hosts were all out for 207 batting first with Shawn Johnson bagging 5-37, but they later dismissed Bexhill for 126 with Nicholas Beard taking 7-31.

Three Bridges stay second-bottom on the back after having to settle for a draw away to Brighton & Hove. Bridges made 241-9 batting first with Danny Alderman hitting 56 before Brighton held on at 184-9 in reply. Jordan Rollings hit 55 and Matt Blandford claimed 6-52.

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Runaway Division Two leaders Middleton suffered their first defeat of the season with a surprise one-wicket loss away to Findon, who chased down a victory target of 251 off the final ball.

Second-placed Billingshurst saw off Chichester Priory Park by 102 runs, while third-placed St James’s Montefiore triumphed by six wickets at home to Goring-By-Sea and Worthing won by four wickets away to Crowhurst Park.

Ansty are a point clear of Pagham at the top of Division Three after both were victorious. Ansty bowled out Burgess Hill for 56 with Samuel Adams taking 6-26 en route to a five-wicket success, while Pagham won by 59 runs at home to Rottingdean.

Elsewhere in Division Three, Haywards Heath won by six wickets away to Pulborough, and the games between Bognor Regis and Crawley Eagles, and Stirlands and Glynde & Beddingham ended in draws.

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Division Four pacesetters Steyning marched on courtesy of a 33-run triumph away to Hellingly in which David Pye took seven wickets for the hosts and Owain Jones claimed six for the visitors.

Second-placed Portslade won by 79 runs away to Henfield, while Wisborough Green continued their good season with a 201-run thrashing of Lewes Priory, who they skittled for just 27.

Rye fared little better as they were dismissed for 43 en route to an eight-wicket reverse at home to Slinfold. In the other game, Keymer & Hassocks prevailed by five wickets at home to Crawley.