CRICKET: Priory dominate Crowhurst in league showdown
20 May:
Hastings Priory 238 for 9: Burgess Hill 234 for 8
Haywards Heath 263 for 9: Crowhurst Park 165
27 May:
Crowhurst Park 162; Hastings Priory 163 for 3
The cricketers of Hastings & St Leonards Priory ruled the local roost last Saturday in defeating near neighbours Crowhurst Park by seven wickets with more than 11 overs to spare in their Sussex Cricket League contest.
Spinner Alex Osborne (Priory) in action against Crowhurst
Crowhurst, batting first, found it hard to score quickly, despite a fast outfield, against Priory’s accurate attack. David Rayment’s 54 took him 92 balls, and, after Priory’s go-to seamer John Morgan claimed three wickets in a middle order collapse, the innings quickly subsided. There was a general share-out of wickets between all five bowlers.
When Priory replied, Harry Scowen was immediately bowled by Jordan Shaw, but the Woolley brothers – Jack (42) and Dylan (47) – steadied the ship. Then Iden McCleave (51 not out) took control, playing admirably straight with some powerful drives off the front foot. One of those was deflected onto the wicket at the non-striker’s end to run out Dylan Woolley; but there was no further success for the fielding side, as Alex Osborne kept the score moving with some scampered singles, and McCleave reached his 50 with a winning snick to the third man boundary.
Priory’s comprehensive victory followed a much closer one at Burgess Hill the previous Saturday. Asked to go in first after losing the toss, Priory batted solidly to reach a score of 238 off their 45 overs. Scowen (43), McCleave (41), Osborne (25), Morgan (52 off 42 balls) and Seaver Cowley (24) all made valuable contributions. Morgan took three early wickets when the home side replied, but they remained in the hunt and finished just four runs short.
Meanwhile, at home to Haywards Heath on the same day, Crowhurst Park conceded 263 for 9 off their 45 overs before falling for 165 all out. Bradley Payne made 38 and Shaw 40, but they received inadequate support.
Tomorrow (Saturday) Priory travel to Buxted Park while Crowhurst host Burgess Hill.
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