Bexhill fear player loss after drop

The club's spirited bid to remain in the Premier Division of the Sussex League came to an end last weekend with a five-wicket loss away to Horsham.

First team manager Hamish Russell said: "We know that local clubs are on the 'phones and computers to these boys already, and have been for a few weeks.

"We're lucky that the boys we've got are very loyal to Bexhill, but you've got to fear that they do move on. What they choose to do is up to them and I certainly wouldn't want to hold anyone back if they want to develop their cricket."

Whether overseas player David Lowery will be back for a third season is not yet clear, but one man that won't be around when Bexhill return to Division Two is hard-hitting batsman Richard May, who is emigrating to

Perth with his Australian fiancee.

"He's a very talented cricketer and he will be a big loss," continued Russell. "He's had a lot of offers to go to other clubs over the years, but he's been here since he was young and the social side of the club is something he just thrives on."

May will be eager to go out with a bang when Bexhill wrap-up their 2010 campaign tomorrow (Saturday) at home to a Preston Nomads side which needs just one point to clinch the title for the fourth time in five years.

Russell went on: "I'm really looking forward to the game. They're going to want to win the league in style and I think we've got a point to prove. I think we'll have a few people down watching and I think it will be a great day's cricket."

Although they've won just twice - with Monty Panesar in the side on both occasions - Bexhill have been competitive on all bar a couple of occasions and nine points tomorrow will give them a higher total than any relegated team since 2006. Play will start at 11.30am at The Polegrove.

Sidley will be targeting a winning finish to their Division Three (East) programme, meanwhile, when they travel to bottom-of-the-table Chiddingly tomorrow.

Despite being unbeaten in their last five games, Sidley can only finish higher than their present position of fifth if they pick up the full 30 points and fourth-placed Seaford gain less than four at second-placed Burgess Hill.