Spirits are sky high at table-topping Slinfold

The mood in the camp is sky high as their 72-run victory at Glynde & Beddingham secured them 24 points and saw them jump to the summit.

They posted 144 in 51 overs as Ethan Ansell top-scored with 45, before bowling their hosts out for just 72 runs.

Akeem Jordan grabbed 5-29 as Slinfold became the first team to breach the 100-point mark in the division so far.

Delighted captain Thorne, who was absent on the day, said: “Another hard-fought team performance kept our momentum going on Saturday. The spirit in the camp is like nothing I’ve known and I’ve skippered at this club for a long time.

“The lads are really enjoying playing together, and playing for each other and we have a real togetherness and a fantastic team spirit, and that really helped us.

“The win took us top of the league, but the league is so open. I think 31 points separates first to eighth, so the league is anyone’s this year and I think every side can beat each other on their day.

“I’m not interested in what the table looks like now, I just want the lads to keep the team spirit up and keep enjoying their cricket and hopefully we win a few more games throughout the season.”

Having won the toss, Slinfold set about making their total with scores of 18 from Ross Dealhoy, 45 from Ansell, 26 from Jordan and 13 from Sean Overton.

With the ball, Louis Barron, Angus Bishop and George Burton-Durham claimed two wickets each and Charlie Hobden claimed 3-29.

With the bat, Glydne really struggled to get going in the face of a tight bowling attack.

Only batsmen Edward Murray (13) and Bishop (18) made double figures as Slinfold skittled them for 72.

Jordan’s bowling was backed up by Richard Harris (2-8) and Dan Graycon (3-17).

Thorne added: “We took a tough call to bat first on a deck that didn’t look overly friendly, but we felt it would only get worse throughout the day, so decided to give it a go and try and put a score on the board and see if we could then apply some pressure – and fortunately the plan worked out for us, along with some great performances.

“Ethan again batted nicely at three, with a knock of 45 in very tough conditions and that proved to be a significant contribution on the day, so big credit to him for that.

“144 on the board isn’t the biggest score to defend, and it would have only really taken one of their lads to come in and make a knock to make things tight, but the atmosphere we created and the buzz in the field and the encouragement was fantastic and everyone was up for the fight.

“Richard Harris bowled another fantastic spell taking 2-8 from his nine overs with five maidens to keep things really tight at the top.

“Akeem led from the front as I expect him to and was skipper for the day in my absence bowling 13 on the trot to ensure wickets kept tumbling.”

“Young Dan Graycon continued his form with the ball taking three more wickets to following his three from last week.”

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