Cuckfield 190-7; Priory 87

Lewes Priory once again did themselves no favours before crashing to this comprehensive 103-run defeat at the hands of Cuckfield, on Saturday.

After last week's defeat at home to East Grinstead, when dropped catches cost Michael Murray's men the match, Lewes again threw away any chance of a result when they conceded five wickets for just two runs

Winning the toss and electing to bat, the Cuckfield openers made steady progress against the Lewes new ball pair of Kashif Ibrahim and Zia Nizani.

Ibrahim, who was returning from a groin injury, was clearly not back to full fitness and was unable to generate his usual pace, although he did manage to beat the bat on a couple of occasions.

It was the introduction of swing bowler Howard Lindsay (2-36) into the attack that brought about the breakthrough, removing Tom Mole who - having reached 60 - looked set for a big score.

As it was, it took a fantastic tumbling catch by Nizani at mid-on to remove him.

Sher Khan, who was also returning from surgery on an injured ankle, bowled at a lively pace and was unlucky not to pick up a wicket or two.

With Lindsay restricting the scoring from one end, Ibrahim returned to bowl his teasing off breaks from the other and soon had the Cuckfield batsmen in trouble.

However, a lethargic fielding display allowed Cuckfield skipper Chris Mole to pick up singles at will and keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Possibly buoyed by the prospect of a warm cup of tea, the Lewes fielding improved in the closing stages with Ibrahim eventually recording figures of 4-60 off 22 overs, while Cuckfield were obviously disappointed to have failed to gain maximum batting points with their total of 190-7.

Lewes were therefore set the target of 191 in a minimum of 50 overs. The fast outfield and short boundary should have made this eminently gettable.

The visitors started brightly, taking advantage of some wayward bowling, and appeared to be having no trouble until a mix up resulted in the run out of James Cruickshank.

The score had progressed to 34-1 when Skipper Murray was adjudged LBW and, from here, the wheels came off the Lewes innings as the next five Lewes batsmen came and went in quick succession, all bowled.

From 32-1 Priory had collapsed to 34-6. Only Nick Beechey reached double figures (20) before he too was bowled. This spirited but ultimately futile resistance allowed Lewes to limp to 87 before the final wicket fell.

Rod Canfield (4-18) was the main destroyer with Nick Patterson chipping in with a useful 3-26.

The win took Cuckfield to the top of the division. Though the points situation at the top of the league is still very tight, Lewes will have to start applying themselves if they are not to lose touch with the league leaders.