Priory hoping for Poysden boost

Hastings Priory celebrate taking a wicket during their win over Worthing last weekend. Picture by Liz Pearce

Poysden, 21, was Priory’s leading wicket-taker in 2012 but is yet to feature this summer after breaking and dislocating a finger playing for Cambridge University.

The leg break bowler played two games for Unicorns in the Yorkshire Bank 40 competition at the start of this season against Gloucestershire and Somerset.

Priory captain George Campbell said: “We’re quietly confident Josh Poysden might make his return. He’s been bowling for the last three or four weeks, and getting stronger and stronger. It’s like signing a new player. He’s a class act and to have him back will be fantastic.”

In-form Priory will host Cuckfield in the Sussex Premier League today (Saturday, 12.30pm start) before travelling to Three Bridges for a Gray-Nicolls Sussex T20 Cup semi-final on Sunday.

Third-placed Priory are eight points behind second-placed Horsham with a game in hand. Campbell said: “Who would’ve thought that five weeks ago? It just shows what a fantastic run we’ve been on.

“To stay up this year was our first priority and we’re still probably one win from making sure that’s a reality, but why not aim for second? There’s no reason why we can’t sneak past Horsham.”

THIS WEEKEND’S CRICKET FIXTURES - TODAY:

Sussex Cricket League, 1st XI Premier League (12.30): Hastings Priory v Cuckfield.

1st XI Division 2 (1): Glynde & Beddingham v Bexhill; Ifield v Crowhurst Park.

2nd XI Division 1 (1): Bexhill v Hastings Priory.

2nd XI Division 3 (East) (1): Crowhurst Park v Ansty.

East Sussex Cricket League (1.30), Division 1: Ringmer v Iden; Seaford v Rye.

Division 2: Battle v Robertsbridge.

Division 4: Herstmonceux v DPB; Eastbourne III v Little Common Ramblers.

Division 5: Bexhill III v Hailsham II; Pett v Buxted Park II.

Division 6: Iden II v Hastings Priory III.

Division 7: Robertsbridge II v Battle II; Rye II v Udimore.

Division 8: Burwash Weald v Newhaven II; Crowborough II v Herstmonceux II; Little Common Ramblers II v Bexhill IV.

Division 10: Crowhurst Park III v Ringmer III;

Maresfield II v Pett II.

Division 11: Newick III v Bexhill V; Robertsbridge III v Sidley III.

Division 12: Hellingly IV v Rye III; Little Common Ramblers III v Newhaven III.

Division 13: Rye IV v Newick IV.

TOMORROW

Gray-Nicolls Sussex 1st XI T20 Cup semi-final (3): Three Bridges v Hastings Priory.

Gray-Nicolls Sussex 2nd XI T20 Cup semi-final (3): Billingshurst v Bexhill.