Sussex Martlets v Downside Wanders - 2018 - Hurstpierpoint College

Sussex Martlets v Downside Wanders – 2018 – Hurstpierpoint College

 

An early showing of summer made for a wonderful day of cricket at Hurst College.  Martlets won the toss and elected to bat first. The start was delayed 25 mins due to traffic problems causing difficulties for some of the Downside players heading down to Hurst from London.  Play finally got underway just before 12 pm.

Keymer and Hassocks Australian oversees player, Harvey Box opened for Martlets and looked very much in control until he was unlucky to be caught off a thick edge.  An unfortunate spell followed with Martlets loosing 5 wickets in 20 overs. No.2 batsman Michael Murray gave a very strong performance, knocking off 49 runs from 105 balls before being caught bowled to a very good catch, an unlucky end to an excellent openers innings.  Matt Soroka from New Zealand who looked very strong got off to a fast start scoring 34 off 37 balls before being caught / bowled.  In the second half of the innings Paul Walker and Henry Cope built a winning partnership adding 91 to the tally with Henry reaching 51, followed by 19 from Hurst upper sixth player Jimmy Brehaut. I declared at 48 overs, 226 runs for 8 wickets.

Jimmy Brehaut opened the Bowling down the hill for Martlets with accurate pace and took the first wicket in the 4th over – straight bowled.  Mark Chapple followed suite the next over with a similar dismissal.  With both Downside openers dispatched, it was now time for the spinners. Henry Cope took Downsides No. 3 batsman in the 18th over via a difficult diving catch by Harvey Box before Paul Walker took a hattrick (yes, we are expecting a jug from Paul at Goodwood this weekend) with 2 caught/bowled and 1 bowled removing opposition bats 4,5,6.  The two Hurst boys, James Morpeth and Matt Seroka put in a caught/bowled partnership before Henry took another wicket LBW.  The match was sealed, Downside 210 all out, Martlets winning by 17 runs in Downsides 45th over with a Paul Walker Run Out.  A very close match. Some very strong seam and spin bowling. A great Victory. Man of the Match, Paul Walker!

 

Craig Talbot

Match Manager