Cuckfield cling on to title hopes after Bexhill win

By The Newsroom
Published 29th Aug 2016, 23:21 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:23 BST
Bexhill v Cuckfield cricket action - Sam Roberts batting for Bexhill SUS-160827-232643002Bexhill v Cuckfield cricket action - Sam Roberts batting for Bexhill SUS-160827-232643002
Bexhill v Cuckfield cricket action - Sam Roberts batting for Bexhill SUS-160827-232643002

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Cuckfield travelled to Bexhill with high hopes of reducing the points deficit between themselves and league leaders Roffey.

The quality of the pitch quickly became apparent as openers Roberts and Johnson combined strong defence with expansive attacking strokes, taking the score to 51 before a well disguised Hutchings slower ball saw the removal of overseas pro Sam Roberts for 26, caught at mid-off.

The Johnson brothers then combined to quickly take the score to 129, as Malcolm mixed watchful defence with booming cover drives and Shawn utilised his feet and the sweep shot to great effect against Cuckfield’s slow bowlers.

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However, a rush of blood saw Shawn’s stumps rattled as he aimed a big slog into the leg-side off Hayward, out for a well compiled 50. Malcolm followed soon after for a pretty 60, as some slightly suspect running saw both batsmen at the same end, the run out completed by Campopiano.

As Patterson and Hayward combined to restrict the scoring, which proved difficult at times due to the quality of the pitch, two wickets fell quickly- first another ill-judged piece of running saw Pilbeam sweep to mid-wicket and set off leaving him stranded as Weston finished off another run out for Cuckfield, followed by Guest who was adjudged LBW on 33 off the bowling of Patterson. Two well-paced cameos from Haffenden and Powell, who both struck the ball long and hard, took the Bexhill score to 257 before Powell missed an attempt at a 4th six, out for a run a ball 41. A good final over from Patterson saw Bexhill finish their allotted overs on 263. Hayward took 2-99 off 17 overs and Patterson 1-63 from 19 overs.

Despite such a large score, it quickly became apparent in the infancy of Cuckfield’s run chase that it was a total that, with the right application from the top order, was well within the visiting sides reach. Chris Mole, promoted to the top of the order following

Jordan Silk’s return to Australia, and the ever-impressive 18 year old Dom Sear quickly set about reducing the target. Sear’s classical strokemaking was complimented by Chris Mole’s enterprising hitting- which included one six that cleared the pavilion over mid-wicket, as they reached a 100 partnership in their first game opening together this season. The score stood at 154 before Sear, looking to accelerate the scoring as the required run rate rose above 6 an over, was caught at mid-off for 61.