Brilliant bowlers keep up Slinfold's success

The leaders opened up a nine-point lead at the top of Division 4 with a six-wicket win over a Seaford side who were unbeaten in six matches.

Slinfold expected to be chasing 200-plus after their hosts won the toss and opted to bat, but a brilliant display with the ball restricted them to 99 all out in 39 overs.

Tom Filby, on his first league start of the season, took a wicket with his very first delivery and was backed up by Akeem Jordan (4-28), Thorne (2-7) and Imran Shah (3-23).

Thorne said: “The scorecard makes it look like a very comfortable victory, but it was set up by our best team bowling performance of the season, which was also backed up by some terrific ground fielding.

“We were complemented by the opposition and both umpires which is great feedback.

“Tom hadn’t picked up a ball all year, so much so he travelled over 90 minutes to get to our first-team training session on Tuesday, just to bowl for an hour and get some routine and rhythm.

“He didn’t disappoint either when his very first delivery of his league season sent the off-stump cartwheeling. I was delighted for him.

“Akeem was once again excellent on a deck I think he enjoyed. Hard deck, wind behind him and slightly downhill, and he bowled quick – I lost count how many times he beat the bat, and he once again made some early inroads for us with four wickets.

“Imran Shah has been a real find for us this year following his successful first season in our second team. A hugely likeable and entertaining character and he delivered his best bowling performance of the season with three great wickets, and I was able to pick up a couple at the other end.”

It was all fairly routine in reply. Openers Sean Overton (15) and Nabeel Nilamdeen (12) were both dismissed with the score on 28.

Although a couple of other wickets fell cheaply, Jordan was kept on strike for an unbeaten 55 to see them home with 101-4 in just 14.3 overs.

Thorne added: “Chasing low scores is always an interesting mind-set, and ours was a positive one – put them on the back foot early. The lads at the top got us off to a flyer with 22 from the first two overs, and then Akeem came in and continued his fine form with the bat that took him to a brisk and easy on the eye 50.

“It was a fantastic 30 points, and also moves further way from third position. Only 12 points separated us from third place last week. That is now up to 30, and we need to keep trying to increase that gap in a very competitive league.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make this website your homepage

2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex

3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!