SCF Women's Soft Ball Cricket League Finals Day

This year’s SCF Women’s Soft Ball Cricket League saw 37 teams competing across nine groups, with each group winner progressing to the knockout stages. From there, the competition was whittled down to the final four, who met at Ansty Cricket Club on Sunday 17 August for Finals Day.

In the already very hot sun, the semi finals got underway at 11:30am when Crowhurst Park CC overcame Slinfold CC on the North Ground and Chichester Priory Park CC beat Southwater CC on the South Ground.

The final was a high-quality contest, with Chichester posting a total of 343 off the bat which was well-restricted by the taking of 7 wickets, reducing their nett total to 308. With a target of 309 and starting at 200 the first Crowhurst Park pair got their team quickly out of the blocks, adding 37 to the total in their 4 overs in what was shaping up to be a close game. 

Between powerful shots and fast singles from the batters in green, the wickets started to come more frequently for Chichester and they managed to keep the required run rate just out of Crowhurst Park’s reach, restricting them to a final net score of 267 and achieving a 41-run victory to secure the league title.

Thanks were given to everyone at clubs who the league happen at clubs, arranging fixtures, umpiring, scoring and of course playing. Thanks and applause were also extended to Ansty Cricket Club for hosting Finals Day and to their volunteers for their efforts on the day. 

Lara Johnson, our Cricket Development Officer who leads on Women’s Soft Ball Cricket, said “the standard of cricket here today has been outrageous, in the best way, these players and their clubs can all be very proud of what their teams have achieved this season.”

Congratulations to all four teams who reached Finals Day and to the 2025 Champions, Chichester Lionesses.

Sussex Cricket Announces ‘Silly Point Session 2.0’ for Bank Holiday Showdown

Sussex Cricket is delighted to confirm the return of the Silly Point Beer Festival – back for its second edition following the success of last week’s launch event. The first-ever Silly Point Beer Festival took place during the Metro Bank One Day Cup match between Sussex Sharks and Lancashire on Friday 15 August, and proved to be an instant hit with supporters.

Now, fans can look forward to Silly Point Beer Festival 2.0 at The Silly Point Pub on Sunday 24 August 2025, as Sussex Sharks take on Yorkshire in a highly anticipated Metro Bank One Day Cup fixture over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Building on the energy of last week’s debut, the festival return, bringing together top-class cricket, a wide range of beers, and a vibrant matchday atmosphere at The 1st Central County Ground.

Hosted in partnership with Laine Brewery Co., the festival will feature a line-up of local beers, alongside popular favourites from Heineken and Harvey’s Brewery. 

A selection of non-alcoholic options will also be available.

Entry to the Silly Point Beer Festival is included with your match ticket, while beer wristbands will be available to purchase on the day, giving access to six half-pints from the featured range.

“This is the perfect way to celebrate the Bank Holiday at Hove,” said Sam Graham, Director of Growth at Sussex Cricket.

“After the fantastic response to our first Silly Point Beer Festival last week, we’re thrilled to be bringing it back so soon – and making it even better for Sussex Sharks v Yorkshire.”

EVENT DETAILS
Silly Point Beer Festival 2.0 – at The Silly Point Pub
📅Sunday 24 August 2025 (Bank Holiday weekend)
🕚 Match start: 11am, gates: 930am
📍 The Silly Point Pub, The 1st Central County Ground, Hove
🏏Sussex vs Yorkshire – Metro Bank One Day Cup
🍻 Featuring drinks from Laine Brewery Co., Heineken, Harvey’s Brewery, plus non-alcoholic options
🎟 Entry included with match ticket | Wristbands available for 6 x half-pints

BUY YOUR MATCH TICKET HERE

After 160 minutes at the crease on a warm August day in Northampton, breeze blowing in softly from the north-east, Charlie Tear walked off the field having made very near a run for every minute he was at the crease. This was a triumph of an innings, a museum piece. For after 2 and a bit hours the 21-year-old had succeeded in giving his Sharks the advantage. The Northamptonshire attack had lost their lines, lost their minds. At the day's end with the sun sinking, Sussex wrapped up a seven-wicket victory to keep those Metro Bank One Day Cup hopes alight. Tear's stint out in the middle was the catalyst, was the reason.

Those 159 runs racked up off just 146 deliveries is the seventh-highest individual List A score for a Sussex batter, weaving his way amongst some of the finest to have represented the county. Amongst the list of accolades from yesterday was one that features Tom Haines, who similarly fought bravely and brilliantly for his score of 76. Together, they put on an opening partnership worth 216 - a county record partnership versus Northamptonshire in List A cricket. 

Whilst the records showered down on the Scotland international yesterday, one must not forget the wicket-keeper/batter's achievements in a different shade of blue. A batter who displays a wonderful repertoire of shots, he has featured heavily for his nation in recent months. He came away from it with an ODI high score of 80. That arriving in a match against Nepal in a Cricket World Cup League 2 clash.

And then, of course, the big one. A mesmerising, magnificent innings for the Sussex 2nd XI earlier this campaign saw Tear break numerous county records alongside Dan Ibrahim. It was a knock and partnership for the ages. 317* off the bat of Tear is a record individual score for Sussex in the 2nd XI Championship, and one that is unlikely to be beaten for quite some time. It was very nearly the highest 2nd XI Championship score of all time. He'll have to settle for the third-highest score, yet the eyebrows were unequivocally raised. 

The partnership alongside Ibrahim, another young Sussex talent that will further improve with time, amassed a startling 446 runs - a record stand for any Sussex pair in the 2nd XI Championship. It was the second-largest partnership ever record in 2nd XI Championship history, too, as the future of Sussex's batting appears to be in immensely capable hands. 

There will be further opportunities under the spotlight for Tear and Ibrahim in years' to come. The latter signing a contract extension to the end of the 2027 season, whilst Tear signed a fresh contract last year. There will always be difficult roads to navigate when batting at the top of the order, but with an undeniable ability with the bat in hand, the runs will flow, and the consistencies will expand. Whatever happens next, Tear can relish in a season that just keeps on giving.

Northants Men vs Sussex Sharks Men: Match Report 

Northamptonshire Steelbacks 295 for eight (50 overs) v Sussex Sharks 297 for three (46.5 overs), Sussex Sharks won by seven wickets and take four points

By Jeremy Blackmore, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay – please feel free to byline

Scottish international Charlie Tear blazed a record-breaking maiden List A hundred as Sussex Sharks raced to their second Metro Bank One Day Cup victory in three days, chasing down Northamptonshire Steelbacks’ 295 for eight in style with seven wickets and 19 balls to spare.

Tear served up a barrage of boundaries all around Wantage Road, smashing 23 fours and 2 sixes in his spectacular 159 off just 146 balls – the highest ever individual score for Sussex against Northamptonshire in List A cricket. He shared a devastating opening stand of 216 off 202 balls with Tom Haines (76 off 81 balls, 9 fours, 1 six) – Sussex’s highest List A partnership for any wicket against Northamptonshire.

It was a day to forget for the Steelbacks with the ball, the bowling often wayward and with multiple errors in the field.

With the bat, James Sales narrowly failed to post another ton after his century in Northamptonshire’s victory over Durham on Friday, but his 98 (96 balls, 8 fours, 1 six) was the backbone of their innings.

He shared a stand of 115 off 104 balls for the fourth wicket with Stuart van der Merwe who looked at home on debut despite being dropped at slip first ball. His 59 (60 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) was a proactive, confident innings from the 20-year-old, full of invention. But with just 50 coming in the powerplay and Sales failing to kick on in the final overs, Northamptonshire’s total looked well below par. Danny Lamb finished with two wickets, but spinner Jack Carson’s miserly six-over spell deserved special mention.

Earlier Luke Procter (36) and Aadi Sharma (38) gave Northamptonshire a solid if unspectacular platform of 73 for the first wicket in 13.3 overs. Sharma swept Carson straight to Archie Lenham at backward-square before Procter, who passed 1,000 List A runs, fell soon afterwards, giving leg-spinner Lenham a comfortable return catch.

Amidst a miserly spell, Carson bowled 16 dot balls in 17 deliveries, conceding just one run, his initial six-over spell bringing one wicket for just 13 runs.

Northamptonshire attacked at the other end instead, targeting Lenham, Sales cutting for four and smashing over long-on.

Tim Robinson fell quickly in identical fashion to Sharma, sweeping round the corner to Lenham in spinner Bertie Foreman’s first over. Foreman then nearly had van der Merwe first ball but Haines shelled a straightforward chance at slip, the ball running away for four. Unfazed, van der Merwe drove the unlucky bowler through the covers and began to accumulate.

Sales swept Carson over midwicket while van der Merwe sent one over extra cover for six. He scooped Lamb for four before sweeping Foreman to reach 50.

Even though van der Merwe upper cut to third where Lenham held an excellent tumbling catch, a big Northamptonshire total looked assured. Sales twice crunched Foreman through extra cover and moved into the eighties in style, smashing Lenham straight into the top tier of the Turner Stand.

But Sussex did well to contain as Sales grew becalmed, scoring just 21 in the final 10 overs.

New batter George Bartlett counterattacked after being dropped at extra cover, hitting Lenham straight for six and taking three boundaries off a Crocombe over.

His luck ran out when he was run out for a quickfire 28 (18 balls), Fynn Hudson-Prentice deflecting the ball onto the stumps in his follow-through. It sparked a mini collapse, Northamptonshire losing four wickets in 19 balls. Lewis McManus and Dom Leech were bowled by Lamb and Hudson-Prentice respectively before Sales was agonisingly caught at cover.

In stark contrast, Sussex’s powerplay saw a wave of boundaries producing 80 runs in comparison to Northamptonshire’s 50 stage. 

Tear was in full command. He played some textbook drives, cuts and clips off his legs, but also attacked, pulling anything short and smashing over long-on before a beautiful straight drive took him to 50. Haines too started to find the ropes even if he was fortunate to gather a six via a top-edge.

Indian legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal and debutant pace bowler Ben Whitehouse briefly stemmed the flow of runs, the youngster conceding just two off his first over. But the scoring was relentless. Haines whipped one through the on-side to bring up Sussex’s 100 off 85 balls, while Tear deposited Chahal over long-on.

Tear continued to gather runs all around the wicket, a cover drive off Chahal bringing up his century off exactly 100 balls. He pulled Whitehouse ferociously for four more and crunched him down the ground before tucking into a Dom Leech over which leaked 18 runs, including a straight six to bring up the 200 partnership.

Northamptonshire finally made the breakthrough in the 34th over when Haines hooked Whitehouse out to the sweeper on the legside boundary. Tear motored on past 150, reaching the milestone by swotting Leech over midwicket for six. His long innings ended with the finishing line in sight, caught at backward point off Leech. Tom Clark made 34 before he was bowled by Bartlett with five needed, John Simpson hitting six to wrap up the win.

Sussex opener Charlie Tear said: “We spoke in the morning as a group, as a batting unit, about wanting to play with freedom and intent from ball one. We've got naturally aggressive players, and when we let ourselves play like that, I think we get the best from ourselves.

“The chase on Friday against Lancashire filled the team with confidence. I think the way Clarky and Hainesy have been playing set the intent. And I think new batters coming in are just going from ball one, starting as if they were already 20 or 30. And I think that just keeps the momentum going and as a bowling unit, it’s going to be difficult to bowl at us. 

“Hainesy has masses of experience. We were just talking in the middle about plans and when to maybe go on the attack and when to just work it around. So, he helps hugely.

“I feel like I've been playing good cricket all year, and, yeah, it's just nice to get an opportunity and take it really. That’s the most pleasing thing.

“I got off to a quicker start than I thought I probably would have today. That just happened naturally, and I thought I've got to keep going. But then once you get out of the power play, you go through the gears and play the situation.  

“It was quite a good wicket. It didn't spin loads, came onto the bat pretty nicely, a little bit two-paced at times. But a good wicket.

“I think we're getting better each game, which is an exciting thing. That's what you want to do in these sorts of tournaments. We’ll rest up now and then play Somerset at home. And yeah, we're full of confidence.”

Following victories for both teams last time out, Sussex Sharks Men and Women head to Northamptonshire tomorrow in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.

The Women's team take on the Steelbacks at Horton House CC tomorrow, with the match starting at 10.30am. They beat Leicestershire at the Rathbones Arundel Festival of Cricket last weekend to keep their hopes of a place in the Semi-Finals alive. They now sit seven points behind Yorkshire in 4th, with a game in hand and three fixtures left to play. With five points up for grabs tomorrow, that gap could close to just two points with two games to play.

The Men, meanwhile, were involved in a thriller at Hove yesterday, winning by 1 wicket against Lancashire under the lights. It's a result that has seen them climb to 5th in Group B, still just four points off the top three. They take on the Steelbacks at the County Ground in Northampton tomorrow, starting at 11am, as they target back-to-back wins.

Team News

Alexia Walker has made one change to her 13-player squad for the trip to Northampton as Eve O'Neill returns in place of Daisy Mullan.

Adams, Buckle, Collis, Curling, Gentry, Green, Harman, King, Lee, Lewis, O’Neill, Stanley, Wilkinson.

Grant Flower's 14-player squad is unchanged from yesterday's win against Lancashire.

Carson, Carter, Clark, Crocombe, Foreman, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hunt, Ibrahim, Karvelas, Lamb, Lenham, Simpson (c), Tear.

The Opposition - Northamptonshire Steelbacks Women

The Steelbacks have been in fine form in this year's Metro Bank One Day Cup, losing just one and winning five of their six matches.

They have won their last three matches in succession against Worcestershire Rapids, Derbyshire Falcons and Kent. They have taken all ten wickets in each of the five matches they have won this season, with Anisha Patel and Ella Phillips leading the way as the competition's joint-leading wicket takers with 12 each.

The Opposition - Northamptonshire Steelbacks Men

Following the abandonment of their fixture at Lancashire, the Steelbacks have lost two and won one of their last three matches. 

The defeats against Yorkshire and Warwickshire appear to have been quickly put behind them, after a comprehensive victory against Durham yesterday. James Seales scored 117 as Northants posted a score of 321-8. Then, with the ball, the wickets were shared between all six bowlers as they won by 150 runs at Chester-le-Street.

Timings

The Women's match begins at 10.30am tomorrow, while the Men's match begins half an hour later at 11am.

How to Watch

You can watch every ball of the Men's fixture, free of charge, via our Match Day Centre. You will need to register for a free account to access the stream, statistics, replays and live scorecard. You can find information on how to register here.

Unfortunately, there will be no live stream of the women's game, but you can follow the live scorecard here.

Match Tickets

Tickets can be purchased via this link.

Sussex Sharks’ hopes of progressing to the knockout stages of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup are alive after they squeezed past Lancashire by one wicket with three balls to spare in a thriller at Hove. 

Chasing 339, Tom Clark’s 139 and Tom Haines (90) appeared to have done the hard bit by adding 232 in 32 overs – a new second-wicket record in 50 overs cricket for the county – to leave 98 needed from 17 overs with eight wickets in hand. 

Instead, they collapsed in a flurry of poor shots to lose six wickets for 27 runs in 47 balls. When Archie Lenham was eighth out Sussex needed 39 from 27 balls but Jack Carson and Henry Crocombe held their nerve. Carson hit Charlie Barnard straight for six in the 48th over before launching Tom Bailey over mid-wicket and out of the ground in the next.

With one to win there was another twist when Crocombe was lbw to left-arm spinner Charlie Barnard off the second delivery of the final over. But last man Sean Hunt bunted the next ball back over Barnard's head to seal Sussex’s second win in four Group B games. 

Lancashire were in a good position at halfway after openers Michael Jones and George Bell put on 157 before Harry Singh’s 74 took them to their highest 50 overs total against Sussex.

Josh Bohannon picked up Charlie Tear with his second ball, but Clark and Haines then took control. The two left-handers didn’t offer a chance until Clark, on 120, top-edged a sweep but Barnard, running in from mid-wicket, couldn’t hold on as he dived forward.

Clark deserved that fortune given the quality of his stroke play, particularly his inside-out driving through the off and his ability to find the gaps on the leg side. The 24-year-old can seldom have batted with more freedom in any format for his county. None of the seven bowlers employed could tie either of them down until a tired Clark was bowled by off-spinner Arav Shetty in the 34th over. He faced 109 balls and hit 16 fours and five sixes.

With an end to attack Lancashire were transformed. Shetty, in only his third List A game, finished with 3 for 51 while 20-year-old Barnard, who conceded 23 in his first two overs, ended up with 4 for 56.  

Lancashire’s 338 for 7 was underpinned by a fine opening stand of 157 in 25 overs by Jones and Bell, a new List A best against Sussex for the first wicket, beating David Lloyd and Farokh Engineer’s 146 at Blackpool in 1976.

Jones was the more aggressive, hitting three sixes in his 77-ball 82 before he mistimed a drive at leg-spinner Lenham and was caught at extra at cover. Bell played nicely for his 66 off 74 balls until he mistimed a sweep at off-spinner Carson. Between them Sussex’s two slow bowlers took a respectable 3 for 90 in 18 overs in batter-friendly conditions, but it was harder work for their seam attack on a sweltering afternoon.

Left-armer Hunt returned after nearly three months out and picked up a wicket  and there were two in two balls for Crocombe, who finished with 3 for 61, but 21-year-old Singh propelled Lancashire beyond 300 with some very impressive ball-striking and placement, hitting five sixes in his 61-ball 74 which was a career best to boot. 

Report provided by ECB Reporters' Network

Ongoing Partnership Between Dean Wilson and Sussex Cricket Showcased at the Newly Refurbished “Dean Wilson Boundary Rooms”

Sussex Cricket is proud to continue its partnership with Dean Wilson LLP - a collaboration built on shared values like supporting the local community, doing things well, and a real love for the game of cricket.

A visible aspect of this partnership can be seen at The 1st Central County Ground in Hove, where the refurbished Dean Wilson Boundary Rooms provide a dedicated space for business networking and hospitality.

Relaunched under the Dean Wilson name at the start of the 2025 season, the rooms, which also feature a new Roebuck Estates bar, play host to Sussex Cricket’s flagship networking series, The Boundary Club.

The Boundary Club brings together professionals from across Sussex for a series of events throughout the season, combining informal networking, guest speakers, and the opportunity to enjoy top-level cricket from a prime location at the ground.

Running from April to December, The Boundary Club hosts nine curated events each season, combining inspiring speakers, premium hospitality, and the electric atmosphere of live cricket - making it one of the most sought-after networking opportunities in the region.

The Boundary Rooms are also used for hospitality throughout the season as well as being hired as a great, flexible space for meetings, networking and conferences.

James Chadburn, Partner at Dean Wilson, commented: “We’re incredibly proud to support Sussex Cricket, not just through our sponsorship of the League but also in helping to elevate the experience for the business community.

“The newly refurbished Dean Wilson Boundary Rooms are a fantastic reflection of our shared values – professional excellence, community engagement, and a genuine love for the game.

“We look forward to welcoming guests and fellow professionals to enjoy the space and all that The Boundary Club has to offer.”

Sam Graham, Director of Growth at Sussex Cricket, added: "The partnership with Dean Wilson is a brilliant example of how local businesses and Sussex Cricket can work together to create something special for the community.

“The Dean Wilson Boundary Rooms are not just a fantastic space to enjoy hospitality packages at the cricket – they’ve become a hub for meaningful connections, collaboration and shared experiences.

“We’re excited to see The Boundary Club continue to grow here and to welcome even more people to enjoy top-class cricket in such an outstanding setting.” Dean Wilson also continues its support of grassroots cricket through its sponsorship of the Sussex Cricket League and its partnership with the Sussex Cricket Foundation.

For more information about The Boundary Club or upcoming events, contact theboundaryclub@sussexcricket.co.uk. For more information on Dean Wilson see www.deanwilson.co.uk

The Metro Bank One-Day Cup returns to Hove tomorrow, as Sussex Sharks take on Lancashire in the first day/night One Day Cup match at The 1st Central County Ground in over six years.

The Sharks will be looking to bounce back from their recent defeat against Middlesex at Lord's. Despite half-centuries for Jack Carson and Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Sussex's total of 255/9 wasn't enough, as the home side chased it down with more than four overs to spare.

As we approach the halfway point in the group stage, the Sharks are 7th in Group B, but just four points (one win) off the 3rd qualifying spot.

Team News

Grant Flower has named a 14-player squad for the clash with Lancashire tomorrow.

Carson, Carter, Clark, Crocombe, Foreman, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hunt, Ibrahim, Karvelas, Lamb, Lenham, Simpson (c), Tear.

Sean Hunt has been named in the squad and could make his return to the playing XI having missed the majority of the season through injury. His last appearance came in Sussex's home opener in the County Championship against Somerset, where he took nine wickets as Sussex wrapped up their first victory in Division One in a decade.

Charlie Tear is the other to return to the squad. He featured in the opening game of the competition for Sussex but has missed out on a place in the XI in the two most recent matches.

The Opposition

After one win, one defeat and one abandonment, Lancashire sit two points ahead of Sussex Sharks after 3 games. Their most recent outing was a short trip to York against rivals Yorkshire where the White Rose chased down their target of 295 with just over three overs to spare.

Lancashire's single win in the competition came on their travels at Taunton, where Ollie Sutton and Tom Bailey held their nerve in a nail-biting run chase, to secure a two-wicket victory.

Timings

Tomorrow's match starts at a later time of 2pm. Gates open at midday.

Food & Drink

Supporters are permitted to bring food and drinks into the ground, however alcohol is NOT permitted. 

Sixes Social Cricket

If you've been to the ground recently you may have noticed our very own Sixes Social Cricket bar. If you haven't, then where have you been?! 

Our Sixes Social Cricket Bar will open for the duration of the match. Full to the brim with fantastic food and drink to fuel you up with the net session of your dreams. Take on the Sussex Sharks stars and test your six-hitting skills.

Head to the bar, located behind the Webtrends Optimize Sharks Stand tomorrow to book your net. 

Plus, if you fancy a cheeky drink after the game, Sixes will remain open until 1030pm. While the Premier League opener between Liverpool and Bournemouth will also be shown live in the bar.

The Metro Bank One-Day Cup returns to Hove tomorrow as Sussex Sharks take on Lancashire.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of your visit.

Tickets

Tickets are still available for the game. You can book tickets online here.

Gates open at midday ahead of a 2pm start.

Food & Drink

Supporters are permitted to bring food and drinks into the ground, however alcohol is NOT permitted. 

Sixes Social Cricket

If you've been to the ground recently you may have noticed our very own Sixes Social Cricket bar. If you haven't, then where have you been?! 

Our Sixes Social Cricket Bar will open for the duration of the match. Full to the brim with fantastic food and drink to fuel you up with the net session of your dreams. Take on the Sussex Sharks stars and test your six-hitting skills.

Head to the bar, located behind the Webtrends Optimize Sharks Stand tomorrow to book your net. 

Plus, if you fancy a cheeky drink after the game, Sixes will remain open until 1030pm. While the Premier League opener between Liverpool and Bournemouth will also be shown live in the bar.

ECB Announce White-Ball Structure Changes

The ECB have today announced changes to the structure of the Men's and Women's white-ball competitions for the 2026 season onwards.

ECB Press Release: