Kiwi Hodson leads Lindfield to win over Ifield

Asked to bat first, the home side got off to a steady start with opener Jack Sadler looking confident until he edged behind for 21. Hodson arrived at the crease and worked the Ifield attack to all parts of Lindfield Common and at no point looked under pressure. Contributions from Geoffrey Lawrence (12) Shane Yelverton (12) and Dec Martel (17) kept the scoreboard moving whilst the New Zealand batsman accumulated at the other end. A few lusty blows towards the end saw the hosts reach 185 for 8 dec on a good wicket. Jigar Parekh was the pick of the bowlers with a probing 3 for 26 off 11 overs.

In reply, the Ifield innings struggled to gain any momentum as the opening attack of Shane Yelverton and James Pearce pegged them back. Pearce in particular bowled an attacking length which resulted in figures of 3 for 40. Opening batsman Ed Sykes compiled a useful 36 but consistent wickets meant the visitors were constantly struggling to keep up with the rate. The run out of Paul Clifford summed up their day after Adam Wright in the field nutmegged himself causing chaos in the Ifield running. Sam Dorrington (23) and Dinesh Salunkhe (25) battled hard, but 4 for 18 from Simon Shivnarain including two caught and bowled, effectively knocked the stuffing out of the visitors who crumbled to 124 all out off 40 overs.

The win pushes Lindfield up the table and they now find themselves just 12 points from a promotion place.

Lindfield host Eastbourne next week.

Sussex Premier Cricket League - 2nd XI Division 1: Cuckfield 2nd XI 196 for 3 v Lindfield 2nd XI 194 all out: Cuckfield win by 7 wickets

Lindfield remain firmly rooted at the bottom of the division despite a competitive display against local rivals Cuckfield. Batting first the visitors struggled in the early overs with only Scott Clark reaching a creditable score (19). When he departed Lindfield found themselves 81 for 6 and looking at a disappointing total. However, the lower middle order stepped up to the plate, with Michael Hewitt (69) and Scott Pedley (38) taking the attack to the bowling and ensuring the visitors reached 194 all out. A decent effort after the early setbacks. The opening bowlers, Matt Denyer (4 for 29) and Chris Taylor (4 for 56) proved to be the stand out performers in Cuckfield’s attack.

In return, all of the home team’s batsmen chipped in, although opener Matthew Wynn failed to progress (15) after a promising start, despite trying to garner inside information at a Lindfield party the week before. Jack Denyer (59 not out) and Darren Senadhira (54) were the pick of the batsmen with Jack Waghorn’s unbeated 35 comfortably seeing Cuckfield over the line in 45 overs.

Wicket-keeper Matt O’Brien commented after the game: “It was a decent performance particularly after our top order failed to fire. Perhaps it was due to the T20 final we played last night which saw us trying to go too hard too early today. That said, I was dropped for that game, so I can’t use that excuse.”

Mid-Sussex Cricket League - Division 2

Cowden 1st XI v Lindfield 3rd XI: Match abandoned due to persistent showers

Mid-Sussex Cricket League - Division 4: Lindfield 4th XI 176 for 4 dec v Lingfield 4th XI 177 for 3: Lingfield win by 7 wickets

The playing fields of Great Walstead School hosted a hard fought game between Lindfield and Lingfield which left the hosts still searching for a first win of the season. Batting first, Lindfield thanked veteran Malcolm Page for their good start having compiled a gutsy 66. Supported by his older brother and veteran Graham Page (24) and slightly younger but still a veteran Phil Hogan (24 not out) the home side reached a creditable 176 for 4 off 47 overs.

It seemed a very competitive total until the visitors took to the crease, and Martin Britt (76 not out) in particular, put bat to ball. Supported by a fine 49 from James McLean and 27 from James Campbell, Lingfield never looked in trouble as many of the home bowlers struggled to find line and length consistently. Only Paul McCarthy (1 for 26) and Thanvi Choudhury (1 for 22) troubled the scorers in any way as the away team strolled to victory in just 33 overs.

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