Bexhill beaten as runs flow at The Polegrove

Sam Roberts batting for Bexhill against Cuckfield. Picture by Simon Newstead

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BexhillÂ Cricket Club's first team was beaten in a tremendous Sussex Premier League third versus second encounter on Saturday.

Bexhill went down by seven wickets at home to Cuckfield on what was very much a day for the batsmen as 527 runs were scored at a sunny Polegrove.

“We were probably a little bit short,” said Bexhill captain Johnathan Haffenden. “Maybe 20, 30 more runs and (there would’ve been) a bit more pressure on them. But you’ve got to hold your hands up to them for chasing down a big score.”

After winning the toss and batting on a belter of a wicket, Bexhill amassed 263-6 from their 58 overs with six of the top seven scoring more than 25.

Bexhill batsman Malcolm Johnson pushes one into the off-side on his way to a half-century. Picture by Simon Newstead

Bexhill made a steady start before Sam Roberts departed for 26 with the score 51. The Johnson brothers, Shawn and Malcolm, put on 78 for the second wicket until the former fell for 50.

Malcolm Johnson was third man out with the score 164, run out for 62 off 93 balls with 10 fours. Although Callum Guest made 33, a bit of momentum was lost before a sixth wicket stand of 71 between Haffenden (34 not out in 22 balls) and Tom Powell (41 in 41 balls) took Bexhill past the 250 mark.

“Batting-wise we were good,” continued Haffenden. “Shawn batted well, TP (Powell) batted well and I wasn’t too disappointed with getting 260-odd.”