The stand-out performance in the Premier division of the Sussex Cricket League came from Brighton & Hove’s Matt Wood, who took 8-40 in the 19 overs he bowled for Brighton in the game against Bexhill.
Brighton batted first and were bowled out for 227 in 51.1 overs. Wood then took over; Bexhill were skittled for 116 in 38.1 overs.
On what looked a tricky wicket East Grinstead elected to bat against top-of-the-table Roffey. They declared on 177 for nine from 57.1 overs. Ollie Graham top-scored with 45 and Will Adkin contributed with 42. Best bowling figures for Roffey came from George Fleming with 4-30 from 15 overs. Roffey reached 182 for four from 44.3 overs to maintain their position at the top of the League.
In the high-scoring game between Horsham and Eastbourne, Horsham batted first and declared on 256 for six after 50 overs. John Burrroughs starred with 120 from 137 balls. In reply, Eastbourne could only manage 198. They were bowled out in 45.3 overs. As you would expect, former 1st class bowler, Michael Munday was the leading wicket taker; his stats were 4-57 from 14.3 overs.
League champions, Preston Nomads got back to winning with a comfortable win over Cuckfield. Preston Nomads won the toss and inserted Cuckfield. Carl Simon was his usual destructive self, taking 4-46, which limited Cuckfield to 182 from 53.1 overs. Oliver Altendorf top-scored with 66 from 128 balls. In reply Preston Nomads, led by Oliver Gatting with 81 and Robert Wakeford with 52 easily reached the required total and ended on 183 for five from 49.2 overs.
The other game in the top division on Saturday ended in a draw. Hastings batted first and reached an impressive 291 for two from 56 overs. Sussex’s Harry Finch starred scoring 168 not out from 154 balls. Leo Cammish ably assisted with 89 from 116 balls. In reply Three Bridges were 9 down having scored 187 in their allocated 54 overs. To scorer was James Chadburn with 41.
In the Sunday game between the Sussex Development XI and East Grinstead, East Grinstead batted first and scored 262 for six in 58 overs. Alex Carey scored an outstanding 118. The Sussex Development X1 replied with 207 for seven in their 52 overs; the game ending in a draw. Ben Shoare top-scored for the Academy with a fine 79.
Roffey top the table with 115 points, closely followed by Horsham with 106 points and East Grinstead with 101. Bexhill remain bottom with 38 points.