VIDEO: Heath give themselves a lift

Haywards Heath’s hopes of a swift return to Division 2 were given a boost when they edged a tense derby clash with leaders Lindfield at Clair Park on Saturday.
Haywards Heath v Lindfield (bowling). Callum Smith in actionHaywards Heath v Lindfield (bowling). Callum Smith in action
Haywards Heath v Lindfield (bowling). Callum Smith in action

Heath were put in and made a modest 161-8 as Ben Wright top scored with 39 and was followed closely by Charlie Gold (36) and Ben Morris (35no), who added a vital 74 for the sixth wicket. Pick of the bowlers was James Pearce with 4-43.

In reply Lindfield appeared to be heading for victory at 141-6 but then lost their last four wickets for eight runs in five overs. Jethro Menzies was the arch destroyer with 6-27 in 14 overs as Shane Wilson-Yelverton (51) finished an unlucky loser. Heath keeper Sam Reading took three catches and two stumpings.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There were dominant performances from Burgess Hill and Ansty although the latter were denied victory by a stubborn Rottingdean reply after home skipper Jon Young had hit an undefeated 150.

Haywards Heath v Lindfield (bowling). Callum Smith in actionHaywards Heath v Lindfield (bowling). Callum Smith in action
Haywards Heath v Lindfield (bowling). Callum Smith in action

That superb knock by the No 3 set the visitors a daunting 264-6 to chase but an undefeated 90 by Mohammad Islam ensured Rottingdean held on comfortably at 206-7 despite Sam Palser’s 4-32.

All-rounder Jack Simpson was a real star for Burgess Hill as he top scored with 65 and then took 6-10 in 9.1 overs as they closed the gap on the leaders with a third successive win.

Home skipper Tom Trowbridge perished cheaply after opting for first strike against Hellingly but then Simpson and Nathan Cooper raced to a century stand.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Simpson hit three sixes and four fours, while Cooper also traded mainly in boundaries as he made 59. But both fell in quick succession and the innings crashed from 137-1 to 188 all out.

Scott Woods and Karl Boffey were soon troubling the Hellingly batsmen, with Woods passing the outside edge on a number of occasions and quickly grabbing his first wicket when he trapped Isaac Leckie leg before.

Meanwhile, Boffey had the ball moving generously from the off but it was the introduction of Simpson that sent the visitors crashing from 44-2 to 71 all out in the 32nd over.

Sidley’s demise meant no game for Keymer & Hassocks but in the other fixture, Crawley added to the drastic problems of former Premier League club Lewes Priory.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Harry Choudhary was the all-round star for Crawley as he top scored with 51 and then took 4-13.

Andrew Hartridge (5-49) helped restrict Crawley to 184-9 but then Rhett Bridgens (4-37) helped Chaudary bowl out the visitors for 99.