CRICKET: Priory’s Spinners Regain Control
10 May: Hastings & St Leonards Priory 251-7; Preston Nomads 2nds 252-5
17 May: Brighton & Hove 181; Priory 182-4
HUGH SULLIVAN
The cricketers of Hastings & St Leonards Priory began their Division 2 season with a five-wicket defeat by Preston Nomads 2nd team – due warning that, after relegation from the Sussex Premier League in 2024, they are not going to get themselves back up without a struggle. Last Saturday, however, entertaining Brighton & Hove at Horntye, Harry Scowen’s men were able to exercise control from the start, and completed a six-wicket win with more than 11 overs to spare.
Ryan Hoadley, recalled to Priory 1st XI
In this dry and sunny May the pitches have been baked unseasonably hard and, with quick outfields, batsmen have been able to hoist high scores throughout the leagues. Batting first against Preston at Henfield, Priory were probably pleased with their overall total of 251 off 45 overs. Caleb Laloo (67), Scowen (28), Iden McCleave (42), Greg Devlin (31) and Freddie Hulbert (32) all made solid contributions as the scoring rate was gradually accelerated.
But, in reply, Preston got off to a flier as Priory’s frontline seam bowler, John Morgan, suffered an embarrassing afternoon, conceding 48 runs off four overs, including 18 wides and two no-balls. A first wicket partnership of 79 was ended by Shawn Johnson dismissing both openers in his first over, and the home side struggled for a time to keep up with the required run rate, but Joe Mustoe, batting at three, eventually took command, scoring 80 not out off 76 balls with none of Priory’s bowlers able to contain him.
A week later, spinners Adam Page and Jed O’Brien replaced seamers Morgan and Seaver Cowley in the Priory bowling attack against Brighton & Hove. Ryan Hoadley was also recalled to the side after scoring 88 not out for the 2nd team in his first knock of the season.
The visitors elected to bat first on another dry wicket, and made a bright start, but were pegged back by the steady loss of wickets. Page took 3 for 41 off his nine overs and O’Brien 2 for 26, while Johnson (2 for 30), Jason Finch (2 for 29) and Hulbert (only 14 runs conceded off his five overs) gave valuable support. Brighton reached an eventual total of 181, before being bowled out in the final (45th) over.
That score seemed under par in the conditions, and so it proved. Laloo and Johnson fell early to lbw decisions, but Scowen was in aggressive mood, scoring 71 off 72 balls, including 13 fours. McCleave (21) played second fiddle in a third wicket partnership with him of 81. After both were removed, Hoadley (24 not out) and Devlin (also 24 not out) eased to the target.
Next up (tomorrow, Saturday) is an away game at Buxted Park, who have lost both their contests so far. Then, on 31 May, they’ll play host to Mayfield at Horntye.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article. The future of our volunteer led, non-profit publication would be far more secure with the aid of a small donation. You can also support local journalism by becoming a friend of HIP. It only takes a minute and we would be very grateful.
Leave a Reply