VIDEO: Great week for Hill

Old boys played their part in dispatching Keymer & Hassocks on Saturday as Burgess Hill made it four wins in a week.

Saturday’s success put Hill second behind leaders Lindfield.

The visitors were put in at St Johns Park and moved to 65-2 before then slipping to a precarious 97-6 when Michael Johnson became a third victim for former Hassocks player Karl Boffey (15-8-25-3). Johnson made the most of an early life to hit exactly 50.

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A 63-run stand between Jamie Purtell (37) and Joe Barns-Gratton (25) then rescued the situation for Hassocks although there was flurry of late wickets for Jack Simpson (4-70 in 19.3) and the returning Scott Woods (2-26)as the visitors were bowled out for 180 in the 53rd over.

When skipper Andy Westgate decided for the first time this season not to open the bowling, Hill cashed in as openers Tom Trowbridge (29) and Jack Simpson (46) put on 78 before Purtell took the first of three wickets. His third was thanks to a brilliant one handed catch at point by Johnson to get rid of another Hassocks old boy, Nathan Cooper (19).

It was Boffey (35no) and Ian Simpson (29) who ensured there was no dramatic collapse as Hill finally sealed a six-wicket win that put them above Ansty into second place.

Lindfield remain top after winning a low scoring game at Hellingly, where the hosts were bowled out for 84 in 44 overs as Matt Wilson-Yelverton grabbed 5-2 in four overs.

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Lindfield then slumped to 28-6 before Nathan Bell came to the rescue with an undefeated 44.

Haywards Heath are level on points with Burgess Hill after a four-wicket victory over struggling Lewes Priory.

Jacob Lee made 49 and Dan Strange took 3-21 as Lewes made 173-9 and then had Heath in early trouble at 21-2.

But Jethro Menzies, fresh from his six-wicket haul the previous week, then joined opener Ben Francis (31) in a stand of 70.

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Menzies was fifth out for 82 at 157 but Ben Wright (20no) finally steered Heath home.

Rottingdean had the better of a draw with Crawley, who were indebted to Rhett Bridgens for staving off defeat.

He took 6-61 as Rottingdean were dismissed for 195 and then top scored with 42 as Crawley replied with 151-8. Junayed Khan took 4-25.

Over in the West life continues to be a struggle for Henfield although it was probably no surprise they were well beaten by title-chasing Stirlands. Sean Heather hit 132 to help send them to an 86-run defeat despite Jack Parsons’ 57.

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