Clift hanger: Buxted Park cricketers get better of East Grinstead

Buxted Park CC’s 1st XI opened up their 2021 season with a comfortable win over East Grinstead 2nd XI.
By Community sport reporter
Published 23rd Apr 2021, 13:00 BST
Tom Clift on his way to a ton / Picture: Ron HillTom Clift on his way to a ton / Picture: Ron Hill
Tom Clift on his way to a ton / Picture: Ron Hill

Park won the toss and elected to bat on what looked a very good April pitch. This judgement came good as the experimental opening partnership of Tom Clift and George Read scored runs freely. Read looked good for his 49 before he was bowled. Will Rist and Clift put on a sharp 31 before Rist departed for 13.

Finley Coddington entered the foray and Clift (102*) hit back-to-back boundaries before retiring. Barnes (14*) joined free-scoring Coddington (57*) and the pair took Buxted Park to their very strong closing total of 251-2.

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After a minute’s silence in memory of The Duke of Edinburgh, East Grinstead began their run chase

Fin Coddington hits out / Picture: Ron HillFin Coddington hits out / Picture: Ron Hill
Fin Coddington hits out / Picture: Ron Hill

They reached 29-0 before veteran Craig Olive (1/15) opened Park’s wickets account. Wickets fell regularly with spinners D Heater, G Clift and Cockcroft all taking two wickets.

There were some unbelievable catches by Clift and Coddington, and East Grinstead were all out for a modest total of 84, falling 167 runs short of Buxted Park’s total.

It was a professional performance to begin the season ahead of this week’s mixed fixtures against Forest Row and Newick,

The 1st XI open up their competitive campaign with a T20 cup fixture against Bexhill on May 1.

– report by Dom Heater

Related topics:East Grinstead