Sussex Senior 60's 3rd XI lift National Cup

On Tuesday 5th September the Sussex Senior 60's 3rd XI secured National Cup glory, beating Oxfordshire in the National Final at Valley End CC.

Sussex went to Wales in the quarter final and comfortably beat last year’s winners who were also unbeaten in 2023. The semi final saw a tense, low scoring match against Essex in which Sussex got over the line after restricting the opposition to 153 with an excellent bowling and fielding performance and then knocking off the runs with 4 wickets down and 5 overs to spare. David Jones anchored the innings with 77 not out.

Skipper Ian Stocker won the toss for the third time in the final of the cup competition and asked Oxfordshire to bat on a warm afternoon and a used, dry pitch.

The Sussex bowlers, as always, stuck to their task keeping the scoring rate under control. Chris Fox and Andy Kidd formed an excellent opening partnership in their contrasting styles.

The Oxfordshire opener Lancaster, survived a close stumping chance, off Kidd, with the score at 14 but was bowled the next ball to set Sussex on their way. As Russ Parkes and Jeremy James took over the attack the opposition build a useful stand which was broken when Jez produced a beauty and then Russ got rid of the dangerous Ajit Shah for a well made 52.

With game in the balance, the introduction of the tall spin twins Stocker and Aeschlimann immediately posed a threat with some big turn and bounce. The batters were cautious in their approach not risking attacking shots with the Sussex fielding backing up the bowling.

The dangerous Butcher and skipper Clive Ricks fell in quick succession and, although only one other wicket fell, the middle order batsmen were not allowed to get away. Oxfordshire finished on 206-6 after 45 overs.

Sussex’s reply saw a superb opening partnership of 112 develop between Martin Brownsey and semi -final hero David Jones. Scoring at a run a ball, Martin was finally bowled for 52, bringing Michael Loveday to the crease.

He curbed his natural attacking play to build a solid partnership with Jones which was only broken at 197 when Jones was finally dismissed for a brilliant 97. The winning total was reached without further alarms with 36 balls to spare.

Sussex 60’s 3rd X1 has progressed steadily over the past three years. In 2023 achieving 12 wins and only 3 defeats  in 15 games and this was the reason for the team’s final success in the National Cup competition.