East Grinstead and Eastbourne tie as Nomads thrash Brighton

Sussex Premier League Round Up

Preston Nomads continued their winning run and earned their 8th win in 9 starts when beating Brighton and Hove by nine wickets on Saturday. Nomads lead East Grinstead by 34 points with a game in hand after East Grinstead played a tie at home to Eastbourne. Horsham returned to winning ways with a three wicket victory at Lewes Priory, Hastings triumphed by seven wickets against Haywards Heath and Cuckfield were frustrated after hitting a massive total at Three Bridges where the home side held on for a draw.

Brighton and Hove, who were missing Tim Jarvis and Tim Marks, were dismissed for 177 by Preston Nomads for whom Stephen Rigg took 4 for 33 and Kashif Ibrahim 3 for 63. For the home side Matt Machan was top scorer with 79. Once again Joe Gatting was in form for Nomads as he hit 90 not out as they cruised to 181 for 1. Jeremy Green waded in with 82 not out.

East Grinstead were bowled out for 170 at Saint Hill as Cullen Bailey top scored with 48 and Eastbourne’s Jack Hepburn took 3 for 48. In reply the visitors also made exactly 170 with John Snashall making 37 and Alex Pollard 46.

Hastings skipper Jason Finch hit 73 not out and Richard Young was 46 not out as Hastings cruised to 183 for 3 to beat Haywards Heath by seven wickets. Earlier Tom Dowdall made 40 and Stuart Faith 30 in a Haywards Heath score of 179 all out. John Morgan took 3 for 61.

Lewes Priory made their biggest total of the season to take maximum batting points at home to Horsham. They declared at 238 for 8 with John Aspden (88) and Tom Sharp (67) adding 129 for the fourth wicket. Luke Marshall took 3 for 61. Horsham also had a profitable fourth wicket stand as match winner Sam Attfield (103 not out) and New Zealander Michael Bates (67) added 151 to help their side to a winning 240 for 7.

19 year-old South African “Gap” teacher from Lancing College, Matt Boote, hit 184 in an enormous Cuckfield score of 351 for 6 declared at Three Bridges. Danny Alderman took 3 for 100 and there were 3 run-outs. The total proved out of reach for the home side who reached stumps at 278 for 8 with Mark Newell making 78 and Sean Alborough 68. Jack Denyer took 3 for 30.