The innings started poorly, with Peacock falling for just 4 having missed a straight one in the second over of the game. As with last week against Chiddingly, Wilkinson and in form Dawber looked to build a partnership, and bring us closer to that magical 120. Dawber played his usual aggressive innings, before he was remove for an excellent 44 off of 42 deliveries, with the score 66-2. Dunning joined Wilkinson, and having not scored many runs last weekend, was looking to bounce back with some vital runs today. And that he did. Dunning muscled the ball to all parts of the ground, and brought up the 120 run milestone with a huge six over mid-wicket, sending the Hailsham faithful into jubilation back t the pavilion. The mindset changed from securing promotion, to winning the game. However, both Wilkinson (32) and Dunning (72) feel quickly, and a small middle order collapse left Hailsham and little bit behind the game at 171-6. Both Pannett and Anthony added 20 to the total, before Tom McDonald played elegantly at the death for his 24*, meaning Hailsham finished the innings with a respectable 241.
As per usual, Anthony and McDonald opened the bowling, on a pitch that had offered a fair bit of pace all day. Anthony looked to expose the Ramblers to the short ball early on, and it worked, removing both Atkin and Coombs in his second over of the day. This brought in Khullar, and on his return to the Rec, looked to push the score on quickly. He raced to 23 off of 10 deliveries, until he took on a short ball and was caught smartly by Shankar Bala running around to square leg, giving Anthony his 3rd wicket of the afternoon. When the aggressive Feist was removed by Dunning for 40, the Ramblers were 80-4, with Hailsham well on top in the match.
An outstanding one handed grab by Pannett at slip removed Chris Meredith, and Jon Meredith was bowled by Dunning for just 2, Hailsham spirits were high with the score 104-6. But brothers George and Tom Crathern combined to rip back momentum, with the Ramblers well in the driving seat for a victory. With a defeat looking more and more likely, some tight overs were needed at the death, provided mainly by Shankar Bala and Tom McDonald. With 2 overs to go, and 11 runs needed for victory, one over needed to be bowled from the Royal India end, and with all recognised bowlers, it was up to part-timer Peacock to give Tom McDonald something to bowl at. After a couple of early wides, he did well to leave the Ramblers needing 6 off the final over. McDonald bowled the final over, but the first ball was flicked nicely down to fine leg for 4, meaning the Ramblers were on the brink of victory.
With two needed, the field was brought right up, but Tom Crathern managed to sneak one to bring up his fifty, and making the cores tied. A dot ball in the next meant 1 off two, but George Crathern hit the next ball for 4, meaning Little Common won by 4 wickets with one ball to spare.
An enthralling game of cricket to finish the season with a bang. Despite a loss, the team and club were ecstatic with promotion, and a big celebration back in the changing room was the least the boys deserved. The IQ Builders Merchant Man of the Match goes to Simon Dunning, for 72 runs, 2 wicket, and the all important six to bring the boys that promotion.
Hailsham 2nd XI v Bexhill 3rd XI:
Hailsham 2nd XI travelled to Bexhill for the final game of the season knowing a victory would wrap up the league title. This prospect was made easier on arrival when it transpired that Bexhill only had eight players. The depleted Bexhill team won the toss and elected to bat.
Hailsham opened up their bowling attack with Matt Anthony (3-14) and Shibin Abraham (2-9). Abraham got the first wicket, trapping the Bexhill captain lbw; Anthony followed suit the next over removing the other Bexhill opener the same way. Abraham took his second a couple overs later, cleaned bowled, before Anthony took his second with Harry Chatfield taking a smart catch at first slip. The opening spell ended with Anthony claiming the fifth, also bowled. Anthony and Abraham were replaced by Harri Bala (1-4) and Dave Bennett-Tomlin (1-11) with only two wickets needed and less than 30 runs on the board. Bennett-Tomlin started his spell with a wicket, Ash Jarvis taking the catch at midwicket, and nearly claiming a second with the last ball of the over. Bala and Bennett-Tomlin kept the pressure on Bexhill’s final pair both looking threatening and keeping it tight. Bala made the final breakthrough in the twenty first over, ending the innings with a beauty to bowl the final Bexhill batsman. Bexhill finishing on 41 all out.
Hailsham’s chase was led by Sam Mills (10) and Dave Bennett-Tomlin (25*) who both looked to score quickly from the start taking advantage of any wavering in the line or length of the Bexhill bowlers. Hailsham got within 10 runs of victory before losing their only wicket, Sam Mills being bowled attempting a sweep shot. Nick Dalby-Welsh (4*) joining Bennett-Tomlin to see Hailsham home, Dalby-Welsh finding the boundary to score the winning runs.
A swift victory allowed Hailsham to return home to celebrate their league victory in good time and enjoy the sun at the Boundary Bar and watch the 1st XI confirm their promotion on a great day for the club.
Man of the match goes to Matt Anthony.
Hailsham 3rd XI v Alfriston CC:
Hailsham welcomed Alfriston this weekend winning the toss and choosing to field. Alfriston were pinned down and kept to 129 before being bowled out. With wickets for S. Abraham (3-19), C Mooiman (2-12), T Mills (2-27), T Mullins (2-1) and E Brook (1-26).
