Hailsham 1st XI’s season began with their traditional pre-season friendly at Laughton in the bitterly cold weather.
Batting first, Hailsham sent out Rob Wilkinson (7) and Tom Hicks (0). Hicks fell early, followed by Wilkinson, Ciaran Peacock (6), James McDonald (9) and Aaron Norwood (4). Hailsham found themselves in a precarious position early, five wickets down with barely 50 runs on the scoreboard. Varun Khullar (38), and Paul McDonald (23) settled the innings down, with a combination of sensible batting, and some huge hitting from Khullar. When Khullar fell, Ollie McDonald came to the crease, and looked went straight on the offensive. He reached a quick fire 42 from 24 balls to get the innings up to a respectable total. Some late runs from Tom McDonald (6), Andrew Anthony (11) helped Hailsham up to a defendable 179 all out.
Following tea, Hailsham set about defending their 179 run total. Jamie Russell (50*) immediately went on the offensive against the opening partnership of Andrew Anthony (4-42) and Tom McDonald (4-34) before Tom McDonald made the breakthrough with a slower delivery. As Anthony and McDonald began to find their feet after a long winter not bowling, they made short change of the Laughton middle order, with Jamie Russell the only Laughton batsman in the top eight to reach double figures. A late stand from Harry Williams (45) batting number 10 brought Laughton closer to the required total, before Ciaran Peacock took the final two wickets to see Laughton bowled out for 150.
The Freedom Leisure Hailsham Man of the Match goes to Ollie McDonald for a brilliant 42 off 24 balls that included three sixes. Hailsham’s pre-season preparations continues on 20th April away at Bexhill CC.
