Cuckfield are Sussex 20/20 Champions

Cuckfield reached their first major final by beating East Grinsted in a hard fought match. Cuckfield managed to hold off a defiant East Grinstead by 15 runs with EG always behind in the match. Jason Oates was the difference between the 2 sides with some lusty hitting, he fell for 87 off 45 balls helping Cuckfield to their total of 187 all out off their 20 overs. EG Reached 177 for 8 in their 20 overs

Eastbourne accounted for Stenning in a fairly one sided affair setting up a crowd pleasing final with Cuckfield.

Having had success batting first in the earlier game, Cuckfield skipper Nick Patterson had no hesitation in doing the same in the final. The crowds were building and were baying for more 6's. With the loss of some players from both teams due to Sussex commitments, Widdup was promoted to opener with C Mole, and duly whetted the crowds appetite with a straight six from the first ball of the 2 over. Both openers were dismissed within a few balls of each other bringing the destructive Oates and Ajmal together. After a circumspect beginning, the partnership blossomed. Ajmal displayed his full repertoire of strokes hitting aerially to all parts of the ground. His innings of 73 finally ended after hitting four consecutive 6's and miscuing trying for his fifth. Oates continued where he left off in the first game. After a 127 run partnership with Ajmal, Oates took the dominant role. Maximum after maximum after maximum took his personal total closer to three figures. Marc Gardner's cameo innings was highlighted by a single off the 2nd last ball of the Cuckfield innings to bring Oates on strike with 99 to his name and 1 ball remaining. After finding gaps all day, he managed to hit it straight to cover and was run out. It was a great batting display and Cuckfield were confident after finishing their innings on 227/4.

Eastbourne were always going to struggle but they were off to a great start with boundaries coming readily. Cuckfield finally managed the initial breakthrough in the 7th over. Eastbourne's charge was still causing concern as Mark Tomsett stroked his way to a half century. He was finally dismissed making the task nearly impossible as the run rate kept rising. The introduction of the part time bowling of J Oates and C Mole (4-15) accounted for 6 wickets in 5 overs including an instinctive one handed caught and bowled by Mole. Cuckfield finally wrapped the game up having Eastbourne all out for 134, winning by a margin of 93 runs.

View semi-final scorecard v East Grinstead

View final scorecard v Eastbourne

3Return