Sussex Seniors: 60+ National Finals Round-Up

Sussex Seniors: 60+ National Finals Round-Up

60+ 1st XI National Vase Final: Sussex v Yorkshire Ridings

Sussex travelled to Cropredy CC, near Banbury, to face Yorkshire Ridings in The Seniors County Championship 60+ 1st XI Vase Final. Beneath shifting cloud and bursts of sunshine, captain Tim Peters won the toss and asked Yorkshire to bat on the greenest pitch Sussex had encountered for three months, with a slow, uneven outfield adding to the challenge.

Sussex’s opening bowlers again set the tone. Rob Rydon provided the pace, while Andy Hill (1–22) proved exceptionallydifficult to score from. Yorkshire began to accelerate through the middle overs, but timely wickets from Ian Jones (2–57) and Rydon, who returned for a productive second spell to finish with 2–40, kept the innings in check. Yorkshire’s 214 may have looked modest beside recent totals, but the early-autumn conditions suggested otherwise.

Sussex began the chase with composure, Gordon Morgan and Martyn Ford (46) adding 67 for the first wicket at a healthy rate. Morgan was well caught at mid-off before Scott Stratton was run out by a direct hit at the striker’s end while attempting a quick single to point - a rare sight in Seniors Cricket. Accurate slow bowling, aided by low bounce and a lack of pace in the pitch, then brought wickets at regular intervals. At 130–6 with 14 overs remaining, the outlook was gloomy both overhead and in the Sussex dressing room.

Hill had already bowled his nine overs unchanged and might reasonably have thought his work was done. Instead, batting at No. 8, he struck a spirited 43 and ran tirelessly alongside Mick Webb, who’s unbeaten 34 was a model of calm under pressure. Their partnership carried Sussex to the brink of a remarkable victory.

With 11 required from the final over, Hill was stumped from the fifth ball while attempting the winning blow. Peters therefore needed six from the last delivery in a match that had produced only one maximum all afternoon. The pitch had the final say: the ball barely bounced, and the resulting single left Sussex agonisingly four runs short.

It was a thrilling contest and a heart-warming occasion, with two excellent sides embodying the true Spirit of Cricket.

There was, however, still cause for Sussex celebration: on the adjacent pitch, the 60+ 3rd XI were contesting their own national final.

View the full scorecard.

60+ 3rd XI National Cup Final: Sussex v Wales

Sussex 60+ 3rd XI completed an unbeaten campaign by defeating Wales at Cropredy CC, Oxfordshire, to claim a record fifth national title.

The triumph repeated the previous season’s Cup Final victory over the same opponents. Sussex had also completed the league programme unbeaten, entering the knockout stage as the top seeds among the 19 competing counties.

Quarter-final

A home quarter-final against Middlesex at Barns Green CC brought a commanding nine-wicket victory. On a good batting surface with a fast outfield, the Sussex attack restricted Middlesex to 137 from their 45 overs, Steve Grant leading the way with 3–20 from nine. Russ Varney (79 not out) and Martyn Hennock (49) then shared an opening stand of 129 as Sussex raced to the target in just 23 overs.

Semi-final

The semi-final at Brighton & Hove CC provided a far sterner test. Batting first on a fine pitch and lightning-fast outfield, Oxfordshire amassed 291–6; captain Mick Brazil took three wickets and Chris Foulerton claimed two. Sussex responded with a county-record chase, reaching 296–5 in 43 overs. Martyn Brownsey led the way with an unbeaten 117, supported by Steve Grant (61) and Foulerton (44 not out).

Final

Sussex then returned to Cropredy CC, the venue of the previous year’s final, for another showdown with Wales. The Welsh openers began strongly, adding 50 inside 10 overs, but disciplined, wicket-taking bowling turned the contest. Chris Sear returned 3–35, Jez James took 3–39 and Foulerton conceded just 22 from his nine overs as Wales were restricted to 202.

The chase looked precarious at 68–3, but John Connelly (59) and Dave Ballard (56 not out) combined in a decisive 108-run fourth-wicket partnership. Their stand settled Sussex, took control of the final and laid the foundations for a memorable defence of the Cup.

A record fifth national title, an unbeaten season and a magnificent achievement for the entire squad.

View the full scorecard.

That brings The Seniors County Championship 60+ programme to a close for another season. A handful of friendlies remain over the coming weeks; until then, winter well, everyone.