Priory prepare for Horsham visit

Reigning Sussex Cricket League champions Priory will host Horsham fresh off the disappointment of last weekend’s game at Roffey being rained-off. Play is due to start at 12.30pm.

Priory captain George Campbell said: “They’re a very strong side and it should be a great game. We’re two very even sides to be perfectly honest and it’s a case of making the most of your opportunities in that sort of game.”

Horntye Park Sports Complex-based Priory held a 40-point cushion over Horsham only three weeks ago, but two defeats and an abandonment for them, coupled with two wins and a draw for Horsham, has seen that gap cut to only seven.

The clubs have built up quite a rivalry over the years, but Priory have prevailed on the last two occasions, firstly in a title decider on the final day of last season and then in a rain-shortened game on May 12.

Priory expect to make one change with Matt Machan coming in for Harry Finch, who is attending England junior trials. Machan has made just two appearances for Priory so far this term due to his involvement at Sussex.

Back for the remainder of the season apart from one weekend, Campbell is looking forward to getting stuck into the role and feels the title race is there to be won with second-placed Priory trailing Preston Nomads by 18 points.

“I think it’s completely up for grabs,” he added. “We’re only halfway through and we’re massively in the hunt. It’s all about putting a run together in the second half of the season. Strength-wise we should have no excuses.”

See this week’s Hastings Observer for the full article.