Clubs crash out of national cup

Hastings Priory at the crease during their defeat to Bromley. Picture by Simon Newstead

Sussex Premier League side Priory went down by 106 runs at home to Bromley after losing the toss. Joynal Ahmed took three wickets for the home side, but Charlie Walker and David Smith racked up over 150 between them as the Kent Premier League outfit amassed 270-6 in their 45 overs.

The Priory response was weak, Adam Maharaj-Newman top scoring with 41 as they were bowled out for 164 in the 41st over. Freddie Hulbert hit 25, Tom Gillespie 24 and Dave Draper 21, while Dominic Reed took four wickets.

Bexhill, from Sussex Division Two, went down heavily at home to Kent Premier League team Bexley, included ex-England spinner Min Patel and a couple of members of the Kent staff in their line-up.

After Bexley scored 274-9 batting first despite two wickets each for Jamie Bristow-Diamond and Josh Beeslee, the hosts managed just 115 in reply. Just two Bexhill players reached double figures, Tom Powell leading the way on 48.

Captain Malcolm Johnson admitted: “They were simply too good for us.” For more on both matches, see Friday’s Observers.