Bexhill well beaten by reigning champs

Bexhill's cricketers suffered their first away league defeat of the season as they were well beaten on Saturday.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Jun 2016, 13:07 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 23:58 BST

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Malcolm Johnson scored a half-century in Bexhill's defeat at Roffey on SaturdayMalcolm Johnson scored a half-century in Bexhill's defeat at Roffey on Saturday
Malcolm Johnson scored a half-century in Bexhill's defeat at Roffey on Saturday

Johnathan Haffenden’s side went down by 123 runs at the hands of the reigning Sussex Premier League champions, despite a half-century from the in-form Malcolm Johnson.

Bexhill elected to field on winning the toss, but failed to take the six wickets they needed to secure any bowling points as Roffey amassed 271-5 from their 58 overs.

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Once again Bexhill’s lack of penetration meant Roffey got off to a solid start, making their way to 58 before Shawn Johnson (15-4-71-1) had Josh Fleming (10) caught behind by his older brother.

Roffey added 68 for the second wicket before Callum Guest (17-0-77-2) dismissed Theodore Rivers for 49 and Aidan Brooker ran out Liam Gibson three runs later.

Bexhill coach Sam Roberts was fairly happy with the score 133-3 after 40 overs at the second drinks break, but as the bowlers tired, Roffey blitzed the ball to all corners of the ground.

Guest - who was the pick of the bowlers and produced a good spell until the last few overs - trapped George Fleming leg before for 56 to leave Roffey 156-4 and Brooker (9-4-26-1) bowled Chris Webb a run later.

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But Rohit Jaogta (78 not out) and Matt Davies (50 not out) forged an unbroken sixth wicket partnership of 114, with 39 runs coming off the last two overs.

Bexhill dropped a few vital catches and heads went down, while the opposite was true of Roffey as at tea it was them who were buzzing.

Bexhill again could not bat out the 52 overs in reply and only opener Malcolm Johnson stood out as batsmen came in, hit a couple of boundaries and departed - not what was required.

Malcolm Johnson followed up his century against Worthing the previous weekend with 50 off 66 balls with five fours and three sixes.

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No other batsman made it to 20, with Shawn Johnson (18), Liam Bryant (16), Haffenden (14), Brooker (14) and Cameron Burgon (13) all dismissed in the teens.

Bexhill were 74-1 at one stage, but the departure of Malcolm Johnson led to them losing three wickets for four runs. They never really recovered thereafter and were all out for 148 in 42.4 overs, with Luke Barnard taking 4-56.

The dozen Bexhill travelling supporters shook their heads and went back to The Polegrove to watch the football.

Bexhill started the day above Roffey in the league table, but now find themselves 26 points below their conquerors.

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Standings (played six matches unless stated): 1 Horsham (7) 167pts, 2 Preston Nomads (7) 136, 3 Cuckfield (7) 124, 4 Roffey 113, 5 East Grinstead 110, 6 BEXHILL 87, 7 HASTINGS PRIORY 83, 8 Brighton & Hove 71, 9 Worthing (7) 68, 10 Billingshurst 38.

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Related topics:Bexhill