1st XI v Newick 1st XI:
Hailsham hosted Newick at Western Road, knowing victory against our fellow promotion candidates would be another huge step to Division 4. As in previous games, Hailsham elected to bat first, looking to set a total and complete another successful defence.
Usual openers Rob Wilkinson and Ollie McDonald opened the batting, but struggled to make any inroads, with Ollie spooning the ball to point for 4, and Wilkinson chipping the ball back to the bowler for 3. The hard hitting, reliable pair of Dawber and Dunning were reunited again, continuing to be there destructive selves, in particular Dunning, who hit the ball to all parts of the ground, scoring 38 off of 24 balls before being bowled from the pavilion end. The hero from last week Pannett joined Dawber, and he too found the boundary with ease, with some elegant flows of the bat. He holed out to long off for 28, but Hailsham were in a strong position at 129-4. The pitch had been flat for the first 20 overs, but the dry surface began to break up a little, and with the pitch becoming two-paced, Hailsham knew that any significant score would be very defendable. After Peacock (17), Anthony (1) and Dawber (64) fell in quick succession, 200 was looking a way off. But the two Toms, McDonald and Carpenter ensured that Hailsham would reach 200 and beyond, using a combination of hard hitting and quick running. Hailsham reached an admirable total of 222, with Carpenter finishing with 16, and McDonald and unbeaten 32.
With a pitch that was getting progressively harder to bat on, Hailsham knew that some disciplined bowling would ensure a victory against our promotion rivals. Skipper Anthony opened the bowling, but it was Tom McDonald that got the first breakthrough, bowling hard-hitting Waylett for 10. Hailsham struggled to find the breakthrough for a while, until the change bowlers came on, which swung the game completely. Dunning (4-19) bowled in some excellent areas, whilst Bellett (2-21) bowled with heat and aggression. The pair combined to rip apart the Newick middle order, reducing the opposition to 87-8. Despite a late surge from number 10 Matt Hurkett (22*), Newick were bowled out for 121, courtesy of a couple of wickets from spinner Shankar Bala.
A vital victory in Hailsham’s quest for promotion to Division 4. Another victory next week away to Chiddingly will put Hailsham within touching distance of securing a top 2 position in the league. The IQ Builders Merchant Man of the Match had to be shared this week, with both Matt Dawber and Simon Dunning, with an excellent score of 64, and figures of 4-19 respectively.
2nd XI v Mayfield 3rd XI:
All in all a short game for the 2s this week. The travelled to Five Ashes to face a weakened Mayfield side. Hailsham won the toss and chose to field first. Bowling Mayfield out for just 86 in 21.4 overs. With wickets being shared by most bowlers M Anthony (3-15), W Headland (3-7), S Mills (1-16) and N Dalby-Welsh (1-4).
Hailsham chased down the 87 required runs in just 8.4 overs. With S Kevern (29) and S Mills (24*) top scoring.
Man of the Match goes to Matt Anthony.
3rd XI v Ringmer 2nd XI:
Hailsham hosted Ringmer, lost the toss and were put into bat. Setting a mammoth target of 265, with T Mullins (55) and S Abraham (75 off just 34 balls).
After tea, the bowlers set out defending their target. Whilst they didn’t take many wickets, Ringmer never got close to chasing down the 265. With B Williams (2-25) and E Brook (1-40) taking the three wickets.
Man of the Match goes to Shibin Abraham.
