Sussex Sharks VI Retain Division One Title

Sussex Sharks VI Retain Division One Title 

The Sussex Sharks Visually Impaired team have once again been crowned Blind Cricket England and Wales National Champions. Sussex Sharks Vice Captain,  Ian "Tiny" Morris, reflects on yet another trophy for the VI team. 

The Sharks season began with a trip to the capital to face London Metro, this was an intriguing opening fixture as Metro had pipped the Sharks to the title in 2023, with the 2024 title being decided by just one point and the Sharks lifting the trophy. 

Sussex were inserted and on a pitch which was tricky to score on Dan Field declared on himself 99 not out in the 30th over with Sharks claiming full batting points on 205-6. 

The Metro reply could be described as turgid at best making just 58 for 2 in their 30 overs but the inability of the Sharks attack to claim a 3rd wicket meant no bowling points and the game ended with Sharks claiming 10 and Metro 9. Would one point be the difference again this season? 

The Sharks then travelled up to Northants and after winning the toss asked them to have a bat. A steady start saw Northants on 39-0 but when the first wicket fell, they kept falling until the innings closed on 125 all out.

Phil Daniels leading the way with 4 for 17 doing the damage at the top and Mark Bond with 3 for 9  mopping up the tail. 

The Sharks chased the total down in the 16th over with Mark adding to his 3 wickets with 48 not-out off just 38 balls.  

With the Sharks back at "fortress Blackstone" the Somerset game was an almost identical affair. Sharks won the toss, Somerset were inserted, and bowled out for 120. The Sharks then knocked them off in the 17th over just 2 down.  

Phil claimed 5 for 9 in an 8 over spell and Dave Daniels took 3 for 27 making it a family affair. Si Ledwith top scored with 45 and Mark Bond chipped in with another 44 not-out.

So at the halfway point the Sharks looked in great shape but with Metro also winning it was still tight at the top, the season turned when Metro visited Blackstone at the start of July. 

Dan Field continued his hot streak at the toss and gave the visitors the chance to bat first.  Metro limped to 111 and then surprisingly declared to deny the Sharks 2 bowling bonus points. 

Si's 51 not-out meant there were no alarms in the chase and after 12 overs the Sharks were safely home with one hand on the League trophy. 

As with every good cricket season the next game against Northants was washed out by torrential thunderstorms and denied the Sharks the chance to lift the title at Blackstone. 

Northants did the Sharks a massive favour the week after by defeating Metro and ensuring the title would return to Good Old Sussex by the Sea. 

The Sharks final game saw them travel to Somerset and dismiss their hosts for just 72 Phil Daniels leading the attack again with 3  for 4 runs and Callum Weirs 33 not-out seeing the Sharks home inside 10 overs.

This means the Sharks have lifted the title 3 times in 4  years and have lost just one league game in the last 5 seasons. 

Skipper Dan Field said: " I am really proud of the way we have played this season so far, we have used 18 different players and everyone who has come in has worked  for the team. 

"We have smothered teams this year with our relentless bowling attack and our energy in the field."

The Sharks now turn their attention to the two remaining cup competitions where they will face Metro in the Heindrich Swanapoel Memorial Cup at The 1st Central County Ground on the 6th September, followed by  T20 finals day on the 20th September, where they will face Metro again with Lancashire and Somerset in the other Semi final. 

Everybody is forbidden from using the "T word" but of course it is something we aspire to, its a massive game at the real home of cricket on the 6th and we are not looking beyond that.

Free Entry to Watch the Sussex Sharks VI In Cup Final Action

Support the Sussex Sharks VI team as they take on London Metro in the Heindrich Swanapoel Memorial Cup at The 1st Central County Ground on the 6th September.

Entry is completely free of charge, with gates opening at 1130am and the first ball at 1pm. No need to book a ticket, simply turn up on the gate and show your support!