East Grinstead 1st XI lifts the Sussex League T20 Cup in dramatic fashion at Hove last Sunday – What a win –what a game.
East Grinstead won the Gray-Nicolls T20 Cup by beating holders Roffey in a thrilling high quality Cup Final that included some final-ball drama, at Hove on a sunny late summer Sunday afternoon. The contest was finally decided on fewest wickets lost after both teams posted 144 runs in the allotted 20 overs.
East Grinstead, batting first, scored 144-6 compared to Roffey’s 144-8.
Roffey were up with the chase that reached the dramatic climax when Alex Collins hit a four off the last ball to level the scores, although he and his teammates originally thought he had hit a six to win the game. That was after needing eleven to win from the last over, an over that was also to include a free hit, but East Grinstead held their nerve as the final shot came within a bats length of crossing the rope for the winning runs.
The East Grinstead’s innings ably anchored by Will Adkin scoring 45 after he won the toss and elected to bat. It started well enough when Leo Cammish and Archie Turner 17 in ten balls got the innings off to a confident start with a first wicket partnership of 30 before the accurate run out of Turner curtailed their progress. Cammish was next to go for 21 with the score on 49 off 32 balls and with Will Adkin joining Ollie Graham the stage was set for at least 150. However Adkin and new man Ian Sturmer who replaced Graham out for 17, were pinned back by the persistent quality of the Roffey attack. At halfway East Grinstead had reached 73 for 3, but with Luke Barnard claiming 2-19 and with Will Adkin becoming a victim of another excellent run-out on at 127, the scoring rate was down to just over a run a ball and it would need a dash from the Hatchett brothers to push the score up to 144. The last over added 17 priceless runs and when the last delivery faced by Brad Hatchett was superbly dispatched into the stand for a welcome bonus six little did anyone know just how important that ball was to become.
In reply, the Roffey innings mirrored the East Grinstead effort. The first wicket fell with the score at 30 when Theo Rivers 11 was skittled by Brad Hatchett. By 34 balls the reply had reached 56, when in stepped Ollie Graham to claimed two quick wickets when he removed the dangerous Rohit Jagota for 5, followed next ball when he clean bowled Usman Khan for a first ball duck. When the fourth wicket fell with the score on 97 Roffey were well up with the required rate there appeared to be only one winner. However, this was the wicket of Paul Harrison, caught Turner bowled Graham, who had scored a brilliant 66, putting on a quick 41 with skipper Matt Davies to keep Roffey ahead of the clock. The game had changed again, turning on the accuracy and flight of Ollie Graham who now removed Jibran Khan 14 with the score on 114 in his penultimate over in a run chase that was always going to be a tight affair, especially when strike bowler Lewis Hatchett, bowling at Hove for the first time since he retired as a Sussex player, caught and bowled George Fleming with the score on 129 with the last ball of the 18th over, Ian Sturmer then stepped in with the key wickets numbers seven and eight, Davies on 26 quickly followed by Chris Webb for 1 leaving Roffey suddenly needing 11 off the final over to scrape over the line.
But Roffey didn’t get over the line and had they done, there would have been more than a few complaints from East Grinstead as Roffey were mistakenly awarded a six instead of a four during the seventeenth over of the run chase. Well done to Will and all the team, but especially to the Man of the Match Ollie Graham whose 4-22 effectively turned the game back in EG’s favour in a high quality cup final that had everything in terms of great cricket, total commitment and nerve wracking excitement topped by the right result at the end of the day.
A thoroughly deserved victory over the Premiership team of the year who have already matched the record of East Grinstead last year by winning the League and reaching the semi finals of the Royal London National Cup. Roffey however have one more chance to complete their season with a victory, -in the final of the Vitality Club T20 Competition next Sunday. We wish them all the best and please go and win it to confirm the strength in depth of Sussex Cricket.
Saturday, 25 August – Brighton & Hove
East Grinstead 1st XI travelled to mid table counterparts Brighton & Hove CC on the weekend and came out victorious by 55 runs.
Will Adkin won the toss and elected to bat on an excellent looking surface but soon lost his opening partner Rebbetts (1) adjudged LBW to Mates 1-63 (9). Hudson-Prentice joined his captain in the middle and they both looked to dominate the Brighton attack with Hudson-Prentice especially hitting some powerful boundaries. The two took their partnership past 50 and then not long after past 100, with both batsman passing their respective 50’s.
It was the break in the game for drinks that brought the fall of the next wicket and the end of a magnificent 154 run partnership as Hudson-Prentice was out somewhat questionably LBW for a well-made (88). Cammish (1) then came and went quickly being stumped off the bowling of Machan leaving East Grinstead well poised on 158-3. Toby Margetts (44) then came to the crease and he and Adkin but on another telling partnership of 103, taking EG up to 261-4. Margetts then also fell victim to Machan as he was also stumped by keeper Mates. Sturmer (4) and Brad Hatchett (5) came and went quickly looking for quick runs and Machan found himself with figures of 5-48 (10)
At 297-7 Adkin was finally caught on the boundary for 130 and East Grinstead finished their innings on an imposing 306-7 off their 50 overs.
In reply Brighton got off to a powerful start with Taylor (20) and Hounsome (47) scoring freely off the normally threating opening attack. Sturmer 1-20 (6) soon had his break through though as he had Taylor LBW with a ball swinging back into the batsmans pads.
Brighton captain Hetherton (48) joined Hounsome at the crease and the two continued the quick scoring. Hetherton especially hitting some free flowing boundaries. At 129-1 Grinstead made their second breakthrough with Brad Hatchett 2-36 (8) smartly bowling Hounsome through the gate. 129-2 soon became 134-3 as it was Hatchett again who removed the dangerous Hetherton.
Machan (33) and Atherton (26) worked hard to rebuild the innings for Brighton and the pair put on a well-earned partnership of 58. It was the part time spin of captain Adkin who made the breakthrough, having Atherton smartly stumped by keeper Cammish. Machan followed soon after caught in the deep off the bowling of Granger, and with Machan removed Brighton had a very hard task ahead of them.
Lee Granger then bowled an excellent spell up the hill of 5.5 overs 6 for 26 removing the last five batsman. Williamson (6) was next to go caught by Hudson-Prentice. Safi (18) was smartly bowled by Granger with an excellent slower ball. Mates (21) tried to score some quick runs but soon followed Safi back to the pavilion again clean bowled. Martin (0) was clean bowled the following ball and Granger found himself on a hat-trick. The icing on the cake would have been for Granger to finished it off with a hat-trick but unfortunately the following ball was……yes a wide down the leg side! A comical end to the game, however Granger then removed the number 11 batsman Harrison (2) two balls later caught behind by Cammish.
East Grinstead sealed the win emphatically and move onto their final league game of the season next week at home to Eastbourne.
Saturday, 18 August – Hastings
East Grinstead 1st XI won the toss and elected to bat on an overcast day at Saint Hill. However, this decision looked to be the wrong one as they quickly found themselves 0-1 off the first ball of the match. Opener Rebbetts LBW to Morgan.
0-1 soon became 5-3 as Game (0) and Hudson Prentice (4) were both bowled by some good disciplined bowling. On a tricky surface with the ball moving laterally the East Grinstead batters dug in and Adkin (19) and Graham (16) put on a partnership of 30 before Graham was removed by Hastings opening bowler Barton (2-63). Another 30 run partnership between Adkin and Heppell (19) was put on before the captain was out caught off the bowling of left arm spinner Hooper (3-40)
Heppell soon followed Adkin LBW to Hooper and at 72-6 East Grinstead were in some real trouble. This bought James Adkin and Brad Hatchett together and with plenty of overs still available the two batted fantastically to rebuild the innings. A 55 run partnership was put on between the two before James Adkin was caught and bowled by spinner O’Brien (1-45). Hatchett was then joined at the crease by Sturmer and the two began to build another important partnership. Sturmer in particular hitting some lusty blows scoring 59 off 30 balls with 6 x 4’s and 3 x 6’s. He was finally bowled by Hooper but alongside Hatchett they had put on an excellent 83 run partnership.
East Grinstead finish their 50 overs on 216-8 thanks largely to James Adkin, Brad Hatchett and Ian Sturmer for their middle order partnerships.
In reply Hastings lost their top run scorer Billings (1) as he was clean bowled by Lewis Hatchett whilst leaving the ball. This set the tone for one of the best spells of bowling East Grinstead has seen all season with Hatchett removing Hoadley (0) next ball caught well by Hudson-Prentice in the slips.
Ian Sturmer then had Hastings captain Gillespie (7) LBW and in the following overs Hatchett removed Woolley (5) and Hooper (1) both LBW. 23-5 soon became 30-6 and then 30-7 as Hatchett bowled Eldridge (0) and Morgan the very next ball. Jed O’Brien (7) and Harry Scowen (23) tried to piece a partnership together but not before long Hatchett was back in the action having O’Brien LBW. Very next ball he had Beeslee (0) caught in the slips and for the third time in the match Hatchett was on a hat-trick. The next ball slammed into number 11’s pads but to the dismay of the team it was unfortunately not hitting the stumps. For the third time in the game Hatchett had missed out on taking a hat-trick! However, it wasn’t long later that Hatchett got his man and finished with unbelievable figures of 9-18 off 8.3 overs.
Hastings finished on 52 all out and unfortunately find themselves now relegated to the 2nd Division.
The first team move onto Brighton & Hove away next week.
Saturday 18 May – Hastings
East Grinstead 1st XI won the toss and elected to bat on an overcast day at Saint Hill. However, this decision looked to be the wrong one as they quickly found themselves 0-1 off the first ball of the match. Opener Rebbetts LBW to Morgan.
0-1 soon became 5-3 as Game (0) and Hudson Prentice (4) were both bowled by some good disciplined bowling. On a tricky surface with the ball moving laterally the East Grinstead batters dug in and Adkin (19) and Graham (16) put on a partnership of 30 before Graham was removed by Hastings opening bowler Barton (2-63). Another 30 run partnership between Adkin and Heppell (19) was put on before the captain was out caught off the bowling of left arm spinner Hooper (3-40)
Heppell soon followed Adkin LBW to Hooper and at 72-6 East Grinstead were in some real trouble. This bought James Adkin and Brad Hatchett together and with plenty of overs still available the two batted fantastically to rebuild the innings. A 55 run partnership was put on between the two before James Adkin was caught and bowled by spinner O’Brien (1-45). Hatchett was then joined at the crease by Sturmer and the two began to build another important partnership. Sturmer in particular hitting some lusty blows scoring 59 off 30 balls with 6 x 4’s and 3 x 6’s. He was finally bowled by Hooper but alongside Hatchett they had put on an excellent 83 run partnership.
East Grinstead finish their 50 overs on 216-8 thanks largely to James Adkin, Brad Hatchett and Ian Sturmer for their middle order partnerships.
In reply Hastings lost their top run scorer Billings (1) as he was clean bowled by Lewis Hatchett whilst leaving the ball. This set the tone for one of the best spells of bowling East Grinstead has seen all season with Hatchett removing Hoadley (0) next ball caught well by Hudson-Prentice in the slips.
Ian Sturmer then had Hastings captain Gillespie (7) LBW and in the following overs Hatchett removed Woolley (5) and Hooper (1) both LBW. 23-5 soon became 30-6 and then 30-7 as Hatchett bowled Eldridge (0) and Morgan the very next ball. Jed O’Brien (7) and Harry Scowen (23) tried to piece a partnership together but not before long Hatchett was back in the action having O’Brien LBW. Very next ball he had Beeslee (0) caught in the slips and for the third time in the match Hatchett was on a hat-trick. The next ball slammed into number 11’s pads but to the dismay of the team it was unfortunately not hitting the stumps. For the third time in the game Hatchett had missed out on taking a hat-trick! However, it wasn’t long later that Hatchett got his man and finished with unbelievable figures of 9-18 off 8.3 overs.
Hastings finished on 52 all out and unfortunately find themselves now relegated to the 2nd Division.
The first team move onto Brighton & Hove away next week.
East Grinstead to take over Hove on finals day
Put the date in your diary, Sunday September the 9th, venue the County Ground, Hove.
Sussex League T20 Finals Day
Match One – East Grinstead 2ndXI v Preston Nomads 2nd XI (11.00am)
Match Two – East Grinstead 1st XI V Roffey 1st XI (3.00pm)
The contrasting victories in Sunday’s Semi finals said a great deal about the club and the direction the Board has been pushing towards for some time now.
The First team without the services of Leo Cammish, Lewis and Brad Hatchett, came back to form after a sticky month when problems with availability and selection have held them back in their quest for back to back Premier League Championships. Batting first East Grinstead posted 211 in their 20 overs with a magnificent century from Finn Hudson-Prentice. Finn helped himself to 12 fours and 8 sixes in his 71 balls faced, only to fall in the final over attempting his hundredth run in boundaries. Despite a spirited opening partnership of 80 the scored-board pressure proved too much for Middleton CC and as the wickets began to tumble any realistic hope of reaching their target rapidly faded as Captain Will Adkin took 4 for 31.
If this game was spectacular the Second XI provided the game of the season so far at Saint Hill. With three of their squad being asked to play up with the firsts their arguably young weakened team took on Ifield in what always was going to be a tight game. Batting first Ifield posted 145 for 5 in their 20 overs, perhaps a little under par on the true Saint Hill track. The stats don’t tell the whole story though. Phil Norman bowled expertly for his 3 for 19 proving that there is no substitute for experience and cricketing nous. While the positive optimism of youth was ably demonstrated by young George Cave who managed to bowl three overs of slow left arm spin left handed taking 1 for 19 with at a vital time in the innings. Normally a right-handed fast medium strike bowler he needed to protect a broken finger on his bowling hand. George was in the first team squad before his injury and the lessons he observed on keeping the game tight were patently well learnt. Add to this feat his rapid 12 not out to guide the team to victory and you would on any other day have the man of the match.
The chase began with Tom Beswick 30 and Max Stow 11 moving along nicely before star bowler Jgar Parekh who had already removed Alex Evans LBW for 1 bowled both Phil Norman and Will Taylor for ducks. This setback brought 17 year-old Morgan Lapina-Amarelle in to bat with Tom Beswick. Well behind the run rate and running out of batsmen they decided to start pushing for quick singles, turning ones into twos and forcing the errors in the field. A regular boundary eased the pressure and when Tom fell going for another big hit it brought another fearless youngster to the crease, in 15 year old Zac Riley. Two youngsters with an average age of 16 were all that stood between Ifield and a place in the Final at Hove.
Playing on a good pitch against good adult bowlers the occasion didn’t faze them. They have listened to their coaches and learnt to play straight and read the line and length. Playing each ball on its merits and trusting perhaps the best surface they have played on, they increased the scoring rate with good shots and placement so that even when Morgan was out for classy 30 Zac was still there going along confidently, it was suddenly a possibility that a spectacular victory was on the cards. Enter the aforementioned George Cave hitting a six and a four to set the scene for the winning four to appropriately be stroked away with 2 balls to spare by Mr. Riley on 44 not out.
The mature Ifield side left the ground wondering how they had the lost the match which they were confident of winning for 80% of the game. I wonder if they realised that they were beaten by our recently re-organised coaching structure under Phil Andrews, by our willingness to give the youngsters a taste of the adult game if we deem them able. They were beaten by the club policy of bringing them along in teams with experience and maturity to learn what it takes to be a first team player or perhaps more importantly play the game at the best level they can achieve and desire. We are lucky that the team that won the Premiership contained seven players who are East Grinstead through and through and the Board’s wishes is to replicate this in the years to come with all 11 players.
Before next season we want to continue the progress in bringing the whole club closer together by amalgamating the player, managers and coaching committees into one working management unit so smoothing the communication and transition of players up through the teams so ensuring a balanced selection policy of youth and experience in all the sides. Add to this the announcement that the Board has agreed to revive the East Grinstead Cricket Club Academy next January for eight weeks. This will provided first class coaching through the age groups for any player wanting to enhance his ability and learn more about the the game, the East Grinstead way. A formal notification will follow shortly, but the reports above seemed to provide the ideal example of the rewards of getting the transition from Junior to Senior Cricket formally sorted, The George’s, Morgan’s and the Zac’s are our future and we witnessed on Sunday a tiny glimpse of that future, thank you guys, keep learning your game.
Richard Dewing, Chairman EGCC
Saturday 5th May – Horsham
East Grinstead 1st team started their 2018 title defence season at home to Horsham, the team they coincidentally beat last season to win the title.
On a lovely May summers day Horsham won the toss and chose to bowl, getting off to the perfect start with Tom Haines (1-28) having Brad Hatchett (1) LBW in his second over. Not long after EG found themselves 21-2 as Fynn Hudson-Prentice (5) was LBW to Horsham overseas player Mika Ekstrom (2-40).
This brought Will Adkin (84) and Leo Cammish (108) together who put on a magnificent 163 run partnership, running well between the wickets due to a wet outfield. Adkin finally fell looking to up the run rate, as he was bowled by Thornley (2-54). Sturmer (5) and James Adkin (8) came and went quickly as they looked to score some quick boundaries. Cammish secured a well-made 100 by the end and EG finished their innings on 233-5 of a reduced 45 overs.
In response Horsham started off with two quick 4’s but soon found themselves 15-2 as Sturmer (4-42) removed the dangerous Gallagher (8) and Thornely (0). Haines (89) and Oxley (15) then batted well together putting on 48 for the third wicket before a mix up in the middle led to the run out of Oxley. 63-3 soon became 72-4 as Brad Hatchett (1-25) removed Ashmore (4) with a smart catch from Cammish behind the stumps. Pettman (1-26) then bowled an excellent 9 over spell holding a tight line and length and was finally rewarded with the wicket of Johnson (9) having him LBW. At 96-5 overseas player Ekstrom (11) joined Haines in the middle and built a 56-run partnership with Haines hitting two towering 6’s. Opening bowler Lewis Hatchett (2-16) came back into the attack and removed Ekstrom, soon after Sturmer finally had Haines caught well at long-on by Hudson-Prentice. The two opening bowlers then picked up another wicket each with Horsham finishing their 45 overs on 161-9. East Grinstead winning by a convincing 72 runs.
Next week they travel to Roffey.
Sunday 6th May – Ifield T20
After a successful Saturday, EG moved onto Sunday where they played the first round of the Sussex T20 Cup. EG won the toss and elected to bat against newly promoted Ifield but soon found themselves 10-2 as Hatchett (1) and Sturmer (7) fell to Pearce (2-26) and Kalsi (1-25) respectively. Pearce then removed Saturdays hero Cammish (0) and 10-3 was not the start EG hoped for. Hudson-Prentice (88) and Adkin (32) then put on 53 for the 4th wicket both hitting big 6’s before the partnership was broken by a fantastic catch at long off by Pearce off the bowling of Smith (1-27).
Hudson-Prentice was joined by Rebbetts (23) and they proceeded to put on 94 for the next wicket, Hudson-Prentice striking 6 sixes and Rebbetts showcasing his excellent sweeping skills. Hudson-Prentice was the last wicket to fall, run out trying to come back for the 2nd run on the latest ball of the innings. EG finishing on 161-6.
In reply, EG opening bowlers Lewis Hatchett (3-7) and Sturmer (1-10) both picked up early wickets, removing both openers. At 3-2 Ifield moved the score onto 24-3 before Dorrington (10) was LBW to Hatchett. Lewis then removed captain Groves clean bowled two balls later and Ifield found themselves struggling on 24-4. Daniel Groves (25) joined Dan Smith (52*) at the crease and they both batted nicely, putting on 47 for next wicket. The partnership was finally broken by Adkin (1-39) with Rebbetts taking a smart catch on the cover boundary. Wragg (13) came and went quickly as Cammish had him stumped off the bowling of Rebbetts (1-5). Ifield finished their innings on 119-6 with EG winning by 42 runs.
