1st XI
Hailsham 1st XI began first season in Division Four away at Bexhill at the Polegrave. In wintery conditions, captain Tom Hicks lost the toss, with Hailsham being put into bat.
Bexhill kept Hailsham’s openers quiet in the opening stages, bowling four maidens in the first four overs. Tom Hicks fell early for 6, bringing Aaron Norwood to the crease. Norwood (29) and opener Rob Wilkinson (63) settled the innings down putting on 55 for the second wicket. When Norwood fell for a very well made 29, Hailsham were well behind a rate they would have wanted, on just 71 for 2 off 22 overs. Varun Khullar (30) and James McDonald (20) played some positive cricket to push up that run rate up. After Wilkinson fell, Paul Mcdonald (3) came and went without troubling the scorer too much, before Anil Jose hit a quire fire 17 on debut, following by Tom McDonald with a quick 7. The tail continued to add some much needed runs on at the end of the innings, with Sam Mills (5), Matt Anthony (6no) and Andrew Anthony (11no) who hit a six with the final ball of the innings to get Hailsham up to 211, which meant full batting points.
Following tea, it was the bowlers turn to get their first taste of this division. Tom McDonald (2-29) got two early wickets, not allowing Bexhill batsman to settle. Varun Khullar (2-15), Sam Mills (1-30) and Matt Anthony (1-18) settled into the game and bowled well, never letting Bexhill get into the innings. At drinks, with Bexhill 104-4, the game was very finely balanced. The next few wickets, or a big partnership, would surely win the match. James McDonald (3-29) removed Peters, who was looking in good form, before capitalising on a mistake to run out Phillimore off his own bowling with a direct hit. A steady stream of wickets fell from here – with Varun Khullar coming into the attack to take two late wickets, in partnership with James McDonald who took a two more, including the final wicket, to bowl Bexhill out for 155 – a win by 56 runs.
The Freedom Leisure Man of the Match award goes to Rob Wilkinson for a well made 63. Hailsham’s season continues next week at home to Buxted Park at the Recreation Ground.
2nd XI
Captain James Bellett made it 3 winning tosses out of 3 for the Second XI and decided to bowl first for the first league game of the season.
Openers Mooiman (4-29) and Garbett (0-38) bowled well restricting the opening batsmen, Clint being unplayable at times. On Came Alex Renals (2-29) and James Bellett (3-9) to maintain the pressure and it didn’t take long for both of the bowlers to get into their stride and get their wickets. Toby Funnell (0-24) was next into the attack, shortly followed by Ollie McDonald (0-27) who both bowled good lines and were unlucky to not have further success. The Opening bowlers returned to put an end to a stubborn 7th wicket partnership which Clint managed to do thanks to a one handing diving catch from none other than Robin Sewell in the slips and soon after Bellett was re introduced to the attack which led to Heathfield Park being all out for 163.
After Tea, Hailsham opened with a pair that looked in good form the week before in Ollie McDonald (53) and James Bellett (48). The first couple of overs were all about McDonald who took the attack to the opening bowlers and finding himself on 50 just 7 overs into the innings. When he fell, Steve Bowden (22) came to the crease looking to build on this positive start and maintain a partnership with Bellett. Hailsham looked comfortable passing 100 just 1 wicket down however a drinks break and a short break for rain seemed to cause another mini collapse after Bowden fell. Shibin (7), Toby (0), Robin (2) and Clint (1) all falling in quick succession however Nigel Anthony (9*) stayed calm and patient and two boundaries from his new partner Will Parsons (9*) saw Hailsham home to take all 30 Points.
The Dan Grant Finance Planning Group Man of the Match goes to James Bellett for his game changing batting, bowling and fielding displays that have become standard for him.
3rd XI
A rather disappointing start to the 2019 Season for the 3rds. The score line rather flatters the home team. Lewis Williams won the toss and inserted Blackboys who made a steady start. Their captain Gary Funnel made 39 and Griffiths at 3 a good 45. They then increased the rate via Harry Funnel (31) and Wilkins (32). The Hailsham bowling attack lacked penetration, due mainly to a lack of balls bowled at the stumps. Blackboys 192 was a good score but probably slightly below par on a good wicket.
Cameron Ballard and Scott Pearce opened and the score progressed rapidly the batsman matching each other boundary for boundary. The score was 30 before a single was taken, on 33 both batsmen were out probably due to the exhaustion of running 3 singles. Cameron was out playing a defensive shot! Scott mistimed the pace of a straight ball. The introduction of Blackboys leg spinner Sam Telford (4-30) started a collapse. At 40 for 6 and all recognised batsmen back in the pavilion, things did not look good. However, the tail led by ‘Yogi Panwar and Harry Chatfield was well and truly wagged and respectability of sorts was gained and Hailsham were all out for 121.
There were some positives for Hailsham. The young bowlers particularly Tom Mills bowled his off spinners with control and maturity when Blackboys were trying to up the run rate he deserved better than 1 – 39 off his 9 overs. Ed Brookes bowled with pace and aggression with a particularly impressive second spell. Bradly Aldridge also produced some very good balls in his two spells.
The Roots Gardening and Grounds Man of the Match goes to Yogi Panwar for his face saving 41 not out.
4th XI
So we travelled to the darkest reaches of Sussex to take on Tunbridge Wells Borderers which for those of you doing GCSE Geography will know is actually in Kent. Judging by the climate we had gone badly off course and were playing near the Arctic Circle. Never in the history of cricket has it been so cold.
Wisely TWB won the toss and decided fielding with hail and rain on the horizon was the best plan. Harry Gent and Kenny (the wall) Dawber opened up for Hailsham. We settled back knowing these two would be secure for a good while. So before the first over was finished in came Peter (the wobbly wall) Mills after Kenny clearly decided the warmth of his car was a better place to be. Harry and Peter then calmed things down for a good few overs knowing TWB’s opening bowlers were the main worry, and that after this the opportunities would open up. So Harry confidently worked his way to a 50, whilst Peter was accumulating his way to 28 more patiently. Other batsmen after this came and went, but Warren Downs and Bobby Williams took on the bowlers to ensure Hailsham reached a very handy 227. There was time for Harry Ball to hit 2-3 fours before a tactical declaration (Warren has cold and hungry).
Hailsham were quietly confident the 227 gave sufficient room for bowling out TWB. And so Bobby (paceman) and Ethan Deane opened the bowling and immediately set the standard for what generally would be a confident bowling and fielding performance from Hailsham. Ethan returned figures of 9 for 1 off 5 overs, which considering he was bowling when TWB main batsman (Chris Greenall) was in was proof of what we expect from this young man. Greenall in reality kept the TWB innings together, otherwise it would very much been a rout. After Ethan and Bobby’s opening spell ended, Harry Ball, Warren, Harry Taylor and Kayleigh Pavitt gave no respite. Sharp fielding ensured TWB were never really in it. Special mention to Harry Ball, just about able to see over the stumps one end, by the time the ball reached the other end he had successive batsmen in a pickle. With young players such as Ethan and Harry, the club is looking good.
Ultimately our challenge was to ensure a proper win before the next Arctic blast came through, and so Bobby finished off the TWB innings with another spell of hostility. All out for 128.
Special mention for anyone who scored or umpired considering the conditions- thanks Kayleigh and Jason (wears shorts whatever the weather).
Bigger challenges lay ahead for the 4s, but a win is a win to start the season.
The C Brook Fencing Man of the Match goes to Warren Downs for a well made 58 including 10 fours and a six, as well as some tight bowling with figures of 5-3-12-0.
