Cricket preview - Bexhill & Sidley

Chris Topp’s side recorded a resounding victory at home to 10-man Stirlands last weekend and is hoping for more of the same against Haywards Heath at The Polegrove tomorrow (Saturday).

First team manager Hamish Russell said: “People are delighted with the way it went. One thing that people still talk about today is our first game of the season last year against Hastings - a game we felt we should’ve won and what could’ve been if we had won that game. It was important that we set the tone first game of the season.”

Heath began their campaign with a narrow 13-run defeat to Worthing last weekend, but Bexhill will certainly have to watch out for their Australian overseas player Matthew Junk, who scored 97 runs and took six wickets.

Bexhill will be back on home soil 24 hours later for the visit of Hartley Country Club in round one of the ECB National Club Championship. Talented teenager Callum Guest is expected to play in both matches.

Sidley, meanwhile, will be eager to bounce back from their slightly unfortunate opening day defeat to Burgess Hill when they host old adversaries Seaford in Sussex Cricket League Division Three (East) tomorrow.

The two clubs have engaged in some keenly-fought battles over the last couple of seasons and the latest contest is likely to be no different after Seaford overcame Crawley by 86 runs last weekend.

Sidley captain Scott Woodroffe said: “They’re always pretty strong. We’ve had some good games against them and I’m not expecting anything else. We’ll just have to hope we can get a couple of slices of luck early on and if we can tidy up a few things I’m sure with the players we’ve got we’re capable of winning games.”

Peter King will miss the next two games through holiday, but Chris Deeprose is expected to make his first appearance after returning to the club from Bexhill.