Bexhill upbeat despite defeat

Malcolm Johnson’s side was beaten by seven wickets away to a Preston Nomads outfit bidding for its fourth title in five years on a tough afternoon for the batsmen.

First team manager Hamish Russell said: “It was one of those games where we didn’t really do anything wrong; Preston Nomads just had a little bit more firepower than us with the ball.

“Nomads bowled and fielded exceptionally well. There were two or three outstanding catches and it was definitely their day. I’m still very positive following the game; we didn’t let ourselves down in any way.”

With more than a quarter of the season now gone, newly-promoted Bexhill are third-from-bottom of the Premier League table, albeit having played a game more than the sides currently filling the two relegation places.

“We would’ve taken that at the beginning of the season,” continued Russell, whose side has lost only two of its six fixtures to date. “With a bit of extra luck or extra guile, we would’ve won three or four.

“I think we’re lucky a couple of the teams below us have had some poor runs, but we’re holding our own and the important thing is we’re competing.”

Bexhill will return to home soil tomorrow (Saturday) to take on a Roffey side whose success in recent times has become something of a blueprint for the men from The Polegrove.

Last season Horsham-based Roffey became one of the few teams promoted from Division Two to remain in the top flight and this term they are faring even better, currently sitting second with an unbeaten record.