SUSSEX PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND-UP: Cuckfield are early leaders after beating champions Nomads

Cuckfield were dismissed for 162 after being put in as Marc Gardner hit top score of 78 and Keshav Maharaj made 30, Carl Simon taking 5 for 67 and Owen Kernan 3 for 55. In reply Nomads tumbled to 123 all out despite 31 from opener Angus Stewart. For Cuckfield Nick Paterson took 4 for 30 and there were two wickets each for Maharaj and Francis Wynter.

There was a tight finish at Worthing where Brighton and Hove finished 11 short of victory with nine wickets down. Worthing started badly after winning the toss and were, at one stage, 9 for 4, but 99 not out from skipper Darryl Rebbetts took them to 188 all out. He received good support from Alex Harris who made 43 as Brighton skipper Matt Wood took 4 for 44. In reply Chris Atherton made 75 in a Brighton total of 178 for 9 while John Glover, for Worthing, took 4 for 66.

Will Adkin, released by Sussex at the end of last season, played a fine innings of 80 for East Grinstead before being one of two victims for Horsham leg-spinner Michael Munday ahead of a rain abandonment at Saint Hill. Grinstead reached 134 for 3 from 34 overs. Munday, the League’s leading wicket taker last season, took 2 for 34 in 9 overs.

There was a similar tale for Three Bridges at Chichester where skipper Danny Alderman hit 59 in a Bridges total of 208 for 8 declared as James Stedman took 3 for 18 and Matt Geffen 3 for 56. Chichester had reached 21 without loss when the rain halted proceedings.

Hastings had made 127 for 4 at Roffey from 31.2 overs when their game also fell victim to the rain.

DIVISION 2

Eastbourne, relegated for the first time last season, have made it two wins out of two to start the new season. But it was desperately close at home to Glynde with the margin just one wicket after the visitors were dismissed for just 153 with Chris Stanyard making 80. Stuart Pulford took 3 for 34 and skipper Mark Tomsett 3 for 6.

In reply Canadian Devang Patel hit 33 and Matt Cook 29 to take the home side to victory at 156 for 9, there were two wickets each for Ollie Bailey, Dale Tranter, Dominic Shepheard and Chris Stanyard.

Bexhill are also looking to bounce back after their relegation last season, enjoyed a two wicket win in a close game at home to St.James’s . St.James’s were put in and dismissed for 176 in 40.1 overs, Tayyab Mahmood hitting 54 as Jamie Wickes took 4 for 32. In reply Bexhill reached 177 for 8 from 51.1 overs with skipper Malcolm Johnson their top scorer, he made 55. George Taylor took 4 for 40 and Michael Murray 3 for 42.

Goring have started well with wins in their first two games and lie second to Eastbourne following their 5 wicket win at home to Middleton who declared at 252 for 6 with skipper Ben Hansford making 102, Brendan Hanley 43 not out and James Thompson 41, for Goring left-arm spinner Aaron White took 3 for 45.

In reply Goring hit 253 for 5 with 65 from Sam Thorns, 53 from Dan Pittham and 52 from Shane de Beer. England Womens international Holly Colvin made her debut for Middleton, she did not bat but took 1 for 27 in 5 overs when bowling.

Findon won by three wickets at Crowhurst Park after the home side had declared at 205 for 9 with Martin Barry making top score of 40 as James Iago took 4 for 43. In reply Brian Bridson made 56 not out to take his side to 207 for 7, Paul Brookes taking 3 for 48.

Ifield, who had started the season with a win a week earlier were frustrated as rain halted play with visitors Pulborough 71 for 2 to give each side 10 points.

Division 3 East

On a rain affected afternoon Ansty lead Division 3 East despite a 16 run reverse at home to Hellingly. Hellingly’s 174 after electing to bat proved to be just about enough with James Pooley making 66. Glen Anson took 4-68 for the home side but 6-57 from Adam Devlin lifted Hellingly into second spot despite 43 from Luke Forster 43.

Rottingdean notched up their first win in the County League by 9 wickets after bowling out Lewes Priory for just 81.

Haywards Heath’s first game after their relegation also produced an emphatic 9 wicket win with visitors Burgess Hill shot out for just 106. Dan Strange took 3-33 and Callum Smith 3-25 including a hat-trick. Smith then smashed 70 not out off just 51 balls to complete the win.

Crawley had reached 45-1 at home to Keymer & Hassocks before the rain came.

DIVISION THREE WEST

Pagham lead Division 3 West and are the only side in Division 3 to have won both of their opening games. Their 178 proved to be plenty after being put in at home to Billingshurst. Despite 73 from Mipipolaarchchi, Billingshurst were all out for 137 with Joe Metz bagging 5- 34.

Bognor Regis and Crawley Eagles shared a high scoring draw with Eagles posting 232 – 9. Imran Khan once again led the way with 71, Usman Bashir adding 57 and Jim Lee responding with 5 -51. Regis responded with 202 -4 with notable contributions coming from Jim Fallick 59 not out, Sam Taylor 58 and Charlie Laforet 46.

Henfield’s game with Arundel was ruined by the rain. Arundel closed on 124-4 in reply to Arundel’s 194-9. Adam Scott made 59 while Joe Bain was unbeaten for Arundel with 55

Stirlands put last week’s disappointment behind them to score maximum points at home to Wisborough Green. Green could only reach 162-9 from their allotted overs led by 67 not out from Alex Edwards. An unchanged 26 over spell from Struan Cameron saw him finish with 5-72. Sean Heather hit 68 for Stirlands as 3-34 from Farmer proved to be in vain.

Slinfold had reached 43-2 v Steyning before rain forced an early finish.