Saturday 1 June
On Saturday East Grinstead 1st XI hosted newly promoted Mayfield who were high on confidence after claiming their first Premier League victory the week before.
Mayfield won the toss and elected to bat in the glorious sun on what looked like a fantastic wicket to bat on. However, it was East Grinstead who made the better start to the day as Lewis Hatchett (1-22) had opener Cooke (0) caught behind by Cammish in the 3rd over. East Grinstead went for a change of tactic this week with opening with a spin bowler and that paid dividends when Brad Hatchett (2-31) removed the other opener Raymond (19) LBW leaving Mayfield 35-2. Overseas player Silva (24) and Sharma (45) started to build a partnership and took the score to 65 before Grinstead got the prize wicket of Silva as he was caught at Mid-off from the bowling of Hatchett.
Sharma was then joined at the crease by Finch (19) and the two rebuilt the innings nicely to 115 before Sharma was run out superbly by Glaysher from the boundary whilst coming back for the second run. This spelled a small collapse from Mayfield as Granger (3-36) came into the attack bowling a very tight line, removing Finch and Allen (0) both caught behind by Cammish, as well as having Sheffield (21) caught in the covers. Graham (1-31) also had Harman (1) LBW and Mayfield had slumped from 123-5 to 152-8. Wood (30*) batted nicely at the end hitting some lusty blows but the innings was wrapped up by 15 year old Ryan Trotter picking up (2-11) with his ever improving leg spin.
Grinstead were set 183 to win and got off to the worse possible start finding themselves 14-2 after 4 overs. Haynes (2) LBW to opening bowler Sarro (2-37) whilst in form batsman Cammish (6) was caught fantastically behind off the bowling of Wood (2-44). A partnership was needed and thankfully for East Grinstead that is what they got. Adkin (79*) and Graham (31) put on a 68 run partnership before Graham was again caught excellently on the boundary by Sheffield off the bowling of Sharma (1-37). Glaysher (21) then joined his captain at the crease and the two again set about rebuilding the innings. The two rotated the strike confidently and added another 45 before Glaysher was LBW to Wood.
Heppell (7) and B.Hatchett (6) came and went quickly but in nervous times Cave (9*) showed his maturity and saw the game home with Adkin giving East Grinstead a well earned 30 Points.
East Grinstead move on to Three Bridges away next Saturday.
Saturday 18 May – Cuckfield
Cuckfield won the toss and chose to bat first on what looked like an excellent batting wicket at East Grinstead. Lewis Hatchett got an early break through with a well thought out plan to get the dangerous Ludlow caught at short mid-wicket. Grinstead remained on top for the first session up to the drinks break where they only reached 50-1 off 15 overs. But as Weston and Nielson (Australian overseas) played themselves in and found themselves in a good position at the second drinks break at 165-1 with 14 overs to go. Brad Hatchett continued his excellent start to the season with another 3fer, keeping the run rate down in the process. But some excellent death bowling and strong fielding saw Grinstead take regular wickets in the final 10 overs as Ollie Graham and Lewis Hatchett helped mop up the tail cheaply. Ending with figures of 3-39 (Lewis) and 2-47 (Ollie). Cuckfield ended with 250-9 off their 50 overs.
Grinstead started brightly with the new opening partnership of Adkin and Haynes reaching 108 before Tom Haynes fell for a brilliant 52. An excellent effort despite being stuck with flu, Cammish and Adkin kept the runs flowing though through the tricky middle period of two left arm off spin bowlers bowling reaching 187 before the second wicket fell. Adkin being bowled, despite not being ready for the delivery. He made a brilliant 80 off 116 balls. Graham and Rebbetts fell cheaply before a Sturmer first ball 6 calmed the Grinstead nerves. Cammish found the boundary to seal the first Grinstead win of the season chasing the 250 down in 48.4 overs. Cammish ended with a wonderful 71* off only 91 balls.
Strong contributions from all in today’s victory gives Grinstead momentum going into the always tight affair against Roffey next week.
Saturday 4 May – Preston Nomads
Preston Nomads won the toss and elected to bat on what looked like a brilliant wicket. Bowling with the new pink balls in coloured kit, the Nomads openers started well against the normally destructive L Hatchett and I Sturmer. They reached 57-0 off 9 overs before Sturmer grabbed the deserved break when Khan’s luck ran out; caught at mid wicket by Adkin. B Hatchett bowled excellently unchanged for 10 overs getting two deserved wickets of Poole (38) and Ward (10). It could have been more.
Although East Grinstead got regular wickets – Nomads accumulated regular boundaries, taking advantage of some early season bowling from Grinstead, ending on 254 all out from their 50 overs. O Graham and W Taylor were the other pick of the bowlers ending with figures 3-38 and 3-37 respectably.
Unfortunately for Grinstead the weather took a turn for the worst when it was their time to bat, with three forced breaks with heavy rain. With a total of 14 overs lost and no Duckworth Lewis in place, Grinstead were hard done by with the adjusted target. Nomads deserve credit for better bowling, extracting more movement from the surface accounting for many of the Grinstead batsmen. Patel was the pick of the bowlers ending with figures of 3-18 from 8 economical overs. T Haynes (fresh back from Loughborough MCCU side) was the pick of the batsmen ending with 38 runs before being caught in the deep in the desire to score quick runs. The only other score of note was O Graham who scored 29.
Grinstead are away to Middleton on Saturday and look to bounce back with a win. However, they will be without W Adkin.
Sunday 28 April – Holmesdale CC
National 40 Over Cup Competition
Holmesdale won the toss and elected to bowl on what looked like an excellent April wicket at East Grinstead. They made early inrodes when Tom Haynes (East Grinstead’s new signing) was adjuded LBW to David Hudson. This brought Will Adkin to the crease and him and newly appointed captain Darryl Rebbetts began accumilating runs comfortably. They put on 62 before Rebbetts fell for 41 well made runs. Ollie graham kept momentum Grinstead’s way scoring a breezy 24 to take the total to 152-2 at the 30 over mark leaving plenty of wickets in hand for final 10 overs to pick up the rate. However this wasn’t to be and with regular wickets lost in the final 10, Grinstead finished 30 runs short of a par total on 184-8. Will Adkin top scoring with an excellently made 70. David Hudson (Holmesdale’s overseas player) ending with excellent figures of 5-31 off his 8 overs.
Unfortunately for Grinstead the Homlesdale openers started well making it to 67 before Ollie Graham took two quick wickets to give Grinstead hope. However, David Brabham was relentless, scoring regular boundaries in his 110 not out off only 103 balls. Especially quick onto anything too short or wide. Will Adkin took a forth consolidation wicket, but Holmesdale got home with 4 overs to spare and were worthy winners by 6 wickets. Ollie Graham looked to bring some form into the league season with 3-40 off his 8 overs. George Cave bowled well without any luck and is a positive to take from today’s loss.
Grinstead look to improve in our first home game against a strong Preston Nomads this coming Saturday, once again at home.
