CRICKET: Premier League: ‘We Want to Compete’
HUGH SULLIVAN
For the fourth time in the last six years, the cricketers of Hastings and St Leonards Priory are preparing for a summer season among the ten elite teams of the Sussex Premier League.
New Priory recruit Troy Henry
In 2021 they survived relegation from the Premier by a miraculous turn-around of form in the final month. In 2022 a very young team, short of experience and suffering injuries to key players, finished bottom. In 2024, having squeezed back from Division 2 the previous summer, they exited painfully again after a one-wicket loss to Horsham in the last over of the final match, when victory would have saved them.
Well, here they are again in 2026, after marching to a convincing Division 2 championship title last summer. But the attitude struck by winning captain Harry Scowen is different. “In previous seasons, the objective has been to stay up – and twice we’ve come short of that,” he says. “This time we really want to compete.” While not under-estimating the quality of opposition, he believes that the team is capable, at minimum, of a top five finish, perhaps better.
To that end, there has been an ambitious recruitment drive over the winter to add both quality and depth to the playing squad.
Young all-rounder Seaver Cowley has gone to Australia, and his middle-order batting and seam bowling will both be missed. Like last year, there will be no overseas player. But Alfie Hunter, who scored 538 runs and took 41 wickets with his off-spin for Buxted Park in Division 2 last season, has transferred his allegiance to Priory. So have a Mayfield pair, batsman Noah James and 18-year-old all-rounder Felix Holt.
Troy Henry, a 22-year-old left-arm spinner from Hornsey in Middlesex, has also signed up, subject to a ‘rookie’ contract with the full Sussex squad which has been renewed for the current season. He made his professional county debut for them in a one-day match last year.
BILLINGS’ RETURN
Best signing may, however, turn out to be the return of Joe Billings, wicketkeeper batsman who has scored prolifically for Priory in the past as an opener but has spent recent seasons in Wakefield, batting at no.3. That’s a position in the Priory line-up which has been problematic over the past couple of years, and which it’s hoped his boots could fill with distinction.
Last season’s bowlers should all be available again, with the exception of Cowley. Freddie Hulbert, Adam Barton and Shawn Johnson shared the new ball then, and are likely to do so again. Priory’s strength, though, was in their spin attack, particularly on the home pitch at Horntye, where helpful conditions throughout last summer persuaded both Barton and Johnson to bowl spinners more often than seam. With Adam Page offering reliable spells in support, and new recruits Hunter and Henry also in the frame, there could be tough competition for selection in that department.
Scowen maintains, however, that the club has a good culture of mutual support, with 2nd XI captain Brad Smith and director of cricket Jason Finch helping to ensure that all squad players stay keen and motivated. “Everyone wants to play at the highest level they can,” he says. “There’ll be opportunities for all.”
New local sponsors, Brewing Brothers, are providing some welcome financial support, and time and money has been spent over the winter on firming up the Horntye pitch. Scowen suggests that the aim is to give it more pace and bounce – though Priory supporters may hope that won’t militate against their cohort of spinners.
Priory’s first league fixture will be contested tomorrow (Saturday) away at Cuckfield. The following Saturday they host West Chiltington & Thakeham, who were promoted with them last September.
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