Cuckfield played hosts to Horsham in the last game of the league season. Cuckfield were too far adrift to cause concern to the leaders but looking to secure a top 3 finish, and Horsham, who have suffered a disappointing year by their standards, were safely nestled mid table. It was Cuckfield captain Nick Patterson who won the toss and decided to let the opposition field the 58 over stint.

Cloudy conditions greeted the Horsham opening bowlers, and the loss of Tom Mole, caught behind for a duck gave them hope of chasing a modest total. Peter Widdup, with a rare opportunity to bat at the top of the order, joined the inform Chris Mole. Early boundaries to Widdup, along with 2 lives in as many deliveries gave the home team momentum. With the opening bowlers starting to tire, and the batsmen pouncing on loose deliveries, Horsham captain and league leading wicket taker, Will Beer decided it was time to bring himself into the attack with his legspinners. His slow bowling didn't slow the run rate as Widdup smashed his first 2 deliveries to the boundary. A six a few overs later bought up the No3's fifty in even time and a big partnership was brewing. Mole continued to accumulate more circumspectly, as Widdup kept taking the attack to the bowlers. This was nearly his undoing as spin was introduced from both ends with youngster Andrew Thornley enticed an over of rash shots from Widdup. The batsman failed to connect and reeled his head as boundaries were becoming harder to come by with the field spreading. The first wicket partnership of 172 finally ended when opening bowler and Sussex 2's player, Michael Thornley got one to nip back and through Widdup's defence to have him adjudged LBW for a well compiled 93. Piolet stode to the crease finding himself in the rare position of having plenty of runs on the board and still with 20 overs to bat. He didn't take long to settle and scored 36 before getting caught trying to increase the run rate. C Mole (136*) nonchalantly brought up his 4th century of the season with a reverse sweep for 4 off Beer, and with new batsman Gardner (20*) increased the scoring for Cuckfield to finish on 305/3 off their 58 overs.  

This was always going to be a tough ask for a weakened Horsham side that were more interested in a party that evening than chasing the Cuckfield total, not to take anything away from the Cuckfield bowlers. Patterson took the new ball and after beating the bat repeatedly finally found the edge of Kleinveld who was caught in the slips by C.Mole. With the prospect of 6 months recovery Patterson ensured there was nothing left in the tank, and nothing left in the Horsham top order as he trapped the dangerous M. Thornley infront followed by Attfield and Beer. Tom Flower chipped in with his first wicket in the premier league, removing Craig Gallagher for 25. Ajmal struck twice in 2 overs and Fairhall finished with 2 wickets from his 5 balls to wrap up the innings including the wicket of opener and top scorer Kasey for a well compiled 46, having watched wickets tumble at the other end. Patterson was the pick of the bowlers finishing with his best figures for the season of 5/45 from 11. Cuckfield claimed maximum points having dismissed Horsham for 90, winning by a massive 215 runs and with results in other games meant they finished 2nd overall. A great result for the team.

Result: Cuckfield CC - 2nd XI Won by 2 wickets

Date: Sat 1st Sep 2007 @ 12:00

Ground: Horsham CC

Type:  League : Sussex Cricket League - 2nd XI Division 1

Toss:  Horsham CC - 2nd XI won the toss and decided to bat

 

Horsham 2nd XI 228 for 9, Cuckfield 2nd XI 229 for 8.