Cup defeats for Bexhill and Priory

Both were beaten in the second round on Sunday with a very youthful Priory side losing by 42 runs away to Beddington and Bexhill going down by seven wickets at higher grade Horsham.

Priory bowled out Beddington for 219 off one ball shy of their 45-over allocation. Harry Finch, Finn Hulbert and Freddie Hulbert took two wickets each, while Adam Barton, Joynal Ahmed and Elliot Hooper claimed one apiece.

The Sussex Premier Division leaders were dismissed for 177 in reply off 39.4 overs. Tom Gillespie top-scored with 29 and James Pooley was close behind with 28. Hooper (21) was the only other to reach 20.

Just a day after an opposing player collapsed and nearly died in their Sussex Division Two game against Lewes Priory, Bexhill scored 188 thanks largely to Tim Hambridge (52) and Malcolm Johnson (50).

Shawn Johnson picked up a couple of early wickets in reply against a Horsham side which sits third in the Sussex Premier Division, but Craig Gallagher smashed 111 off 68 balls as the hosts cruised into round three.

Full reports on both matches will appear in Friday’s Observers.