Sussex Cricket League round-up: Wins for East Grinstead, Hastings, Brighton & Hove, Roffey & Nomads in Premier Division

The new look Sussex Cricket League got underway on Saturday. Sussex Newspapers' Sports Editor, Mark Dunford rounds up the action from the top three divisions...

Premier Division

In the Premier Division, last year’s champions East Grinstead started with a win as they beat Horsham by 72 runs. Leo Cammish hit an unbeaten 108 and skipper Will Adkin 84 as East Grinstead scored 233-5. Mika Ekstrom took 2-40 for Horsham. In reply, Sussex’s Tom Haines hit 89 and Ian Sturmer took 4-42 as Horsham ended on 161-9.

Promoted Ifield lost their first Premier Division game despite bowling Hastings and St Leonards Priory out for 145.James Pearce (4-48) and Mahad Ahmed (2-15) were the pick of the bowlers while Greg Devlin (28) was top scorer for Hastings. In reply John Morgan (4-16), Jed O’Brien (2-23) and Josh Beeslee (2-18) helped bowl Ifield out for 102. Mike Norris top-scored with 25 for Ifield.

Brighton and Hove (241 all out) enjoyed a comfortable 57 run win against Cuckfield (181 all out). Waheed Safi (69) and Isaac Taylor (50) starred for Brighton, while Greg Wisdom took 4-2 for Cuckfield. In reply, Stan Harrison took 4-28 for Brighton, who had former Sussex star Matt Machan in their line-up.

Roffey (281-7) hammered Middleton (117 all out) by 164 runs. Theo Rivers (65), Ben Manenti (60), J Khan (55) and Leigh Harrison (5-19) were the stars of the show for Roffey.

Promoted Eastbourne (178 all out) lost their first game back the Premier Divison to Preston Nomads (180-6).

Division Two

In Division 2, Ansty (165-9) lost a tight match with St James's Montefiore (172-7). St James’ Henry Sims top-scored in the match with 77.

Promoted Chichester Priory Park (197-7) enjoyed a 47-run win over Lindfield (150-10) while the other promoted side Haywards Heath (248-10) also won, beating Bognor Regis (183-10) by 65 runs. Jonny Phelps (60), Callum Smith (55) and Steve Goulds (52) hekped Heath to their title before Smith claimed 5-18. Joel Baker hit 74 for Bognor.

Mayfield (227-9) beat Bexhill (156-9) thanks to 66 from Jason Finch and 5-25 from Will Sheffield while Three Bridges (147-10) lost to Billingshurst (194-10). Tom Haynes (87) and Andy Barr (4-29) starred for Hurst.

Division Three West

Findon 1st XI (85-5) beat Three Bridges 2nd XI (83 all out); Roffey 2nd XI (122-2) beat West Chiltington & Thakeham 1st XI (119 all out); Steyning 1st XI  (138-8) lost to Goring By Sea 1st XI (140-1); Stirlands 1st XI (122-4) beat Slinfold 1st XI (121 all out); Worthing 1st XI (144 all out)  lost to Pagham 1st XI (145-7).

Highlights: Chris Webb hit 84 not out off 72 balls for Roffey 2nd XI. Rico Webb hit a 27-ball 56 for Pagham. 

Division Three East

Bexhill 2nd XI (43-10) lost to Crawley Eagles 1st XI (44-1); Brighton & Hove 2nd XI (138-10) lost to Seaford 1st XI (234-8); Burgess Hill 1st XI (169-7) beat East Grinstead 2nd XI (123 all out); Eastbourne 2nd XI (192 all out) lost to Preston Nomads 2nd XI  (424-2).

Highlights: Liam O’Brien hit 179 from 111 balls and Taron Ikram 99 from 82 balls for Nomads. Rilwan Mohamed took 8-10 for Crawley Eagles.