Good afternoon and welcome to a round up of what has been happening around the club over the past few days. The normal preview will follow later in the week.

Last Saturday 10th July a rather robust rain pattern filed across our region starting at about 9am. Fulking Mid Sussex and Eastbourne bore no escape from its damp clutches. 1st up our 2s on the North Square had to call it a day. Then news filtered in from the Saffrons 10 points a piece. At St John’s our threes waited patiently as dark skies relented. Unfortunately the rain just didn’t ease and there was no choice but to call the BH game off. Hopefully you all caught our interview with David Symes after. He was naturally very deflated as he was looking forward to seeing how his young team would of got on.

However against all odds our 4th team got in a 30 over game against Palmets on the South Square

It turned into a cracker as skipper Stephen O reports

Captains log 10 July 2021 – We did it again….so close to a win…

As the rain was falling at 1pm it looked like a straightforward 10 points for an abandoned game. Neither team had fully assembled, Graham and Luke both decorating – separately; the opposition having car problems in moving from central Hove to Fulking!

Despite the “advice” from senior pro, the Captains determined to wait until 2pm to see what might happen. The rain stopped on cue and thanks to some nifty work with covers on Friday night by Danny and Adam, when the pitch was revealed, it was dry and playable. The captain won the toss and Nomads assembled for a 30 over league game. Remember Palmers are a clear 90 league points ahead of us.

Palmers started with intent but some tight bowling from Fas (2 for 15 off 6) including a stunning catch from Danny meant we kept the scoreboard under check. Decent spells from colts Hugo and Luca together with a run out from each of the Poynting family kept the momentum under control. Ian Jones delivered a mere 4 wickets and with only 4 extras we were facing a total of 161.

In return Nomads started slowly with Nomads seeing 2 early wickets to swing bowlers from the leagues 2nd placed team. Fas and Graham settled in with determination and steadied the game. The overs started to move and Captain entered the fray.

With some “encouragement” from possibly the leagues most irritating wicketkeeper (who scored 0 runs) the new blade delivered a swift 36. The opposition decided that all players on the boundary edge was the best they could do in attack to gain the win. The Captain departed and we needed 60 off the last 5 overs. Adam Rowland who had been playing a straight bat started to move through the gears hitting the boundary supported by Luke.

22 required off the last over, the opening bowler returned. Luke played a single to bring Adam to strike. A boundary worried the opposition, but then 2 singles meant we had probably just missed. Adam finished the over with 2 consecutive 6’s – much to the bowlers absolute frustration. We weer 3 runs short.

Many thanks to Manni and Andy Garth for umpiring the innings. Also, thanks to Cobo for the video updates during the run chase. An afternoons cricket gave us 3 precious points advantage over those succumbing to the weather.

The 4th XI has again delivered a game of cricket that was down to the wire. Our league position would be totally different if a draw was possible. Rarely are we being beaten as a team, we are just not doing enough to win. However, we have shown that we can bat, bowl and field as a team AND bring in colts to so they gain developmental experience. We just might need to add a touch of ruthlessness to our game to get to the winning line.

My personal blood pressure is not getting any better as we get so close again! Onward with the rest of the season, a win (or rather a few) are within our grasp.

On Sunday our wonderful U13s ECB Cup journey came to a halt but we can all be very proud of their adventures.

Tom H reports from Esher.

I am very proud of the boys and while we had our chance at 66 for 6 the next two Esher took the game away. The spirit of this team was complimented by the umpires. In truth we were comprehensively defeated. it’s onwards and upwards for our U13s with still lots to look forward to.

Guys If you are reading thanks for providing a huge amount of entertaining cricket along the way

Our U13s Girls were in action last evening and as our Director of Junior Cricket Nav explains it was an occasion to remember

U13s played against Lewes Priory in a rare sunny tues evening in Lewes tonight.

Lewes were put into bat first (wisely by Katie SS) on a good (artificial) wicket with small boundaries and a fast outfield. Their captain scored a fast 32 and she was ably assisted by a Miss Extras. Unfortunately, Extras don’t retire and went on to score 39 (Mal!!) and allowed Lewes to reach 109/2 off their 20 overs. Wickets from Evie and Jemima.

Not a problem of course if you open with Sophie and Charlotte. Both retired on 30 having got us to 70 odd without loss. Runs knocked off within 12 overs!!

Boundaries also from Zoe, Katie and Bella. Debut from Chloe who was not out at the end with Jemima.

Well done girls.

One more game to go.

A brilliant end to this report so huge congrats to all connections of our Girls section.

WE MOVE ON!

Cobo