1st XI
After two away trips on the bounce, Hailsham hosted East Grinstead 2nd XI on a day that began bright and dry. Hailsham won the toss and elected to bat.
Rob Wilkinson (11) and Scott Pearce opened the batting. The partnership did not last long as Pearce was bowled without a run being scored. Ollie McDonald (8) joined Wilkinson and the pair looked to improve Hailsham’s position but after a few nice shots McDonald was caught off guard by a shorter delivery which looped back to the bowler. This brought Aaron Norwood (13) to the crease, Wilkinson and Norwood settled down and looked to consolidate and pick up runs when they could. They managed to improve the score to 40 before Wilkinson was trapped lbw. Varun Khullar (105*) was brought to the crease and both he and Norwood looked to bat more positively, although only ten more runs were put on before Norwood was caught. Ciaran Peacock (13) continued the positive batting, hitting a nice six over midwicket. Khullar and Peacock put on 30 runs before Peacock was caught. Stan Garbett followed soon after to leave Hailsham at the precarious position of 83-6. Tom McDonald (8) came in and looked to support Khullar as he picked up the pace of his innings. Khullar and McDonald came up just short of a 50 partnership when McDonald was given out lbw. Andrew Anthony (1) and Shibin Abraham were both bowled and Khullar looked to get to his century, with Hailsham at 145-9. Matt Anthony (0*) came in and looked to ensure Hailsham batted all their overs. With Khullar taking a majority of the strike, Hailsham continued to put on runs through some big hitting from Khullar; finishing on 197-9 with Khullar scoring 105* including nine 4s and six 6s.
The weather turned as East Grinstead came out to bat with the clear skies of earlier in the day giving way to increasingly darker clouds. Andrew Anthony (3-7) and Tom McDonald (1-25) opened for Hailsham, Anthony striking with the first legal ball of the innings before also bowling the number three in a great start for the Hailsham attack. Things got better for Hailsham when McDonald claimed another wicket, leaving East Grinstead 7-3. Hailsham continued to put pressure on as East Grinstead looked to recover. They had amounted just 30 runs before Anthony claimed another. Shibin Abraham (1-22) replaced Tom McDonald and two overs later Varun Khullar (4-25) replaced Anthony. Abraham took Hailsham’s 5th wicket as East Grinstead slumped to 39-5. The teams were taken off for rain in the 19th over but the delay only lasted about fifteen minutes before they returned. After the break East Grinstead looked to accelerate to stand a chance of reaching the target and were closing on doubling their score when Varun Khullar took his first wicket with Rob Wilkinson taking a flat catch at mid-off. Another partnership threatened to take root but came to an end as Khullar’s short ball was hit straight up and taken by Andrew Anthony. Khullar took another soon after, Ciaran Peacock taking a good catch at point, before bowling another with the score at 83-9. Matt Anthony (1-9) replaced Abraham and took the last wicket, bowling the number eleven as the chase finished at 97.
The Freedom Leisure Man of the Match goes to Varun Khullar for his unbeaten 105 and 4-25.
2nd XI
Hailsham 2nd XI made the trip to Seaford in an attempt to put an end to their recent poor form against an opposition who sat top of the league. Captain James Bellett won the toss and chose to bowl in conditions that seemed favourable.
Openers Clint Mooiman (1-20) and Ed Garbett (0-49) built pressure on the opening batsmen before Mooiman made the breakthrough. James Bellett (0-28) replaced Mooiman and caused the pressure on Seaford’s batsmen to increase further. Sam Mills (1-22) came on and took a wicket with his first ball however Seaford seemed comfortable. Tom Mills (2-44) replaced his younger brother after drinks and continued his form from recent weeks with 2 key wickets. A fired up Anil Jose (3-39) changed the game by taking 3 quick wickets that restricted Seaford to 203 which the second XI believed was within their capabilities to chase.
After Tea, conditions changed drastically which led to Hailsham Openers Gareth Morgans (5) and James Bellett (25) to walk out to bat in cold, wet weather. Both opened looked comfortable and Morgans was unlucky to fall as were Steve Bowden (1) and Paul McDonald (1) soon after. This brought Wayne McKay (11) to the crease for his league debut and played some nice shots in order to build a partnership with Bellett who remained at the crease. Both Bellett, McKay and S Mills (2) fell within a couple of overs which led to a partnership between Jose (17) and Mooiman (13). Again both batsmen fell one after the other and after Jose fell, the rain got too much and there was a short break which led to confusion and frustration as the game was close to a finish. Hailshams tail had a revised target of 173 from 35 overs however soon after the restart Hailsham were all out for 109.
A difficult day for the Second XI however there were positives to take including Anil Jose’s performance which earned him The Daniel Grant Finance Planning Group Man of the Match.
3rd XI
Hailsham 3rd XI faced East Grinstead 2nd XI (for about 30 seconds as they turned up at Roebuck instead of Western Road) before the actual opposition, Willingdon 2nd XI arrived.
Captain Lewis Williams lost the toss, and Willingdon elected to take to the crease. Despite an entire morning of expert rolling from 3rd XI opening bowler and assistant groundsman Alex Renals, the rain throughout the week left a sticky wicket on which Willingdon struggled to kick on and accumulate runs. Openers Alex Renals (1-24) and Omar Patham (2-12) made it difficult for the Willingdon openers to get any momentum, with Omar in particular bowling some very tight lines. This pressure was maintained by Jon Brettany (4-23) at first change, who’s patience and consistency was rewarded with a 4 wicket haul. Lewis Williams (1-19) and Tim Mullins (2-4) helped to skittle the tail end, and limit Willingdon to a total of 110 all out. All bowlers were supported throughout the innings by some excellent fielding from all team members, in particular Ollie Brett; who put in an excellent display in the field.
Tea arrived, and as did the clouds. However the grey weather was not reflected in the colourful batting display on show courtesy of openers Tim Mullins (42) and Lewis Williams (50*). Despite having all afternoon to chase down the total of 110, Mullins and Williams played as if the MI was closing at 7 o’clock. A combination of Mullins’ classy strokes through the outfield and Williams’ attempts to lose as many balls as possible, Hailsham tore towards their target at ferocious pace. Unfortunately pace became the enemy, with the partnership ending after Mullins falling to a run out. However with the total in sight, Cam Ballard (20*) entered the fray at number 3, and in true Cam Ballard style, hit five swift boundaries to seal the victory.
A solid all round performance from the 3rd XI, epitomised by the solid all round performance from The Roots Gardening & Grounds Maintenance Ltd Man of the Match; Tim Mullins. Tight bowling, wickets taken, and an Ian Bell esc masterclass in breaking through an offside field.
4th XI
Having won the toss, Hailsham 4th XI elected to field to make use of a very strong bowling unit with the aim of getting wickets but perhaps more importantly keeping the run rate in check. However the Isfield opening batsmen didn’t look obliging, and made us work hard for the early breakthrough. Bailey and Robinson hung around for too long, scoring 28 and 16 respectively, before Bobby Williams (2 for 27) claimed Bailey, and Brad Aldridge (1 for 17) claimed Robinson. At this point Isfield were rattling along, the run rate looking to get out of our control. Fitzgerald continued the trend, and storm clouds were gathering for Hailsham (**little did we know that they would ultimately save us).
Jake Muller twin (1 for 23) broke through and all of a sudden we were into a potentially weaker mid to lower order. Whilst 1-2 batsmen proved obstinate, cricketing and character wise, Ed Brook (2 for 33), Kayleigh Pavitt (3 for 17), Ethan Deane (5 overs, 11 runs) and Harry Ball (4 overs, 21 runs) really slowed the run rate down and ensured the Isfield score (167 all out 39.5 overs) was within reach if we batted sensibly. Warren Downs was able to rest the aching ankles.
After introducing Jake to his first french fancy at teas, the usual uber experienced opening duo of Nigel Anthony and Peter Mills set off to very sensibly deal with the Isfield bowling attack in now wet conditions. Francisco Robinson, great name, decent cricketer, was bowling well and keeping runs to a premium, but overall Nigel (27) and Peter (5) were satisfied with reaching 30+ without loss and relatively untroubled. Soon though both were out, contradicting the last comment, and a little pressure was on as the rain came down. Slip sliding all over the place, Gavin Muller (4 runs, out lbw ridiculously so, thanks umpire) and Bobby (0, generous to blame the conditions, but let’s) came and went and Hailsham were 4 wickets down and still 2/3s of the Isfield score to achieve. Warren (15 not out) and Ethan (0) calmed things down in the rain.
But then the (**actual) storm clouds convinced grumpy groundsman to call things off, it was wet to be fair, and Hailsham were probably better off settling for abandoned points given the batting position (66 for 4 off 19 overs). Disappointing, but this is England after all.
The C Brook Fencing Man of the Match, for 2 wickets and 2 catches, goes to Ed Brook.
