Sussex Martlets

Sussex Martlets stroll to a win over the Junior Martlets

Martlets at Arundel

A very strong Martlets XI rather overwhelmed a much younger/weaker Juniors side this year. Sympathy goes out to their manager John Bettridge who had to deal with an extra Academy game and pre-season Rugby tours taking a number of his older players.

That said, the Juniors bowled very tidily and were never really taken apart. Nathan Cooper’s bowling (4-48) was particularly impressive, as a steady opening partnership of 114 was checked and suddenly we were 156-5.

When the Juniors batted they had to face the guile of Michael Murray and pace of Jordan Shaw (Beauty & the Beast?) and unfortunately for the game Ash Kumar, the Juniors’ captain succumbed to the former with a gift catch to Jordan Rollings. After that they never really got going  (two run-outs did not help) and Trubby cashed in.

The foot came off the pedal (rather later perhaps than it should have done) with the last pair at the wicket. They added 41, making the final score a little more respectable.

Nonetheless, another glorious day was enjoyed by a good turn-out of Vice Presidents. Speeches by Stuart Ritchie, Brian O’Gorman and Johnny Barclay were all enjoyed and it was a great pleasure to be able to have as guests John Abbott, Jon Filby, Mandy Jupp, John Stapleton, Paul Sheldon, Matthew Lowndes, Charlotte Bruford and Sue Doggart (Hubert’s wife and Simon’s mother).

Desmond Devitt

Off-field match manager

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