Horsham lose unbeaten league start and exit National KO Cup

Bermudan bowler Kamau Leverock took wickets in both games over the weekend. Pic Steve Robards

On Saturday the defeat by 69 away from home ended Horsham’s unbeaten league start to the season and saw hosts Cuckfield take a surprise lead in the early Premier League table.

And a four-wicket loss at Havant compounded a disappointing couple of days as Horsham missed out on a Group 11 final meeting with rivals Roffey, who beat Valley End.

First up Horsham won the toss and stuck hosts Cuckfield into bat. After Kamau Leverock made the initial breakthrough, trapping James Thope leg before for a duck in the first over they were made to toil in the field.

Opener Tom Cummins and Oliver Altendorf put on 154 for the second wicket, Cummins finally trapped in front by Michael Munday for 92 and Altendorf bowled by the spinner for 49.

Though Munday (3-71) and Ben Shoare (3-47) made some late breakthroughs Cuckfield finished on 223-7.

And though Elliott Cloy made a gritty half century Horsham’s reply fell short as they were knocked over for 154, Nicholas Beard with 5-48.

The following day Horsham this time elected to bat and made 149-9 from their 45 overs, Leverock top scoring with 31.Home side Havant reached their reply with just over two overs to spare, skipper Stuart Ransley top scoring with 62 as Horsham’s National Knockout Cup hopes ended for another year.