Blincow hat-trick as Rye stay top

Sandun Dias scored 99 and James Hamilton 42 not out as Rye made 195-9 batting first away to Hailsham in East Sussex Cricket League Division Two on Saturday.

Martin Blincow then bagged 7-16, including a hat-trick, to bowl Hailsham out for 99 and leave Rye six points clear of second-placed Newick.

Elsewhere, Iden lost by 13 runs in an extraordinary low scoring Division One game away to Willingdon in which 93 runs were scored and 20 wickets were taken.

Paul Barnett took four wickets, Gary Rens three and Robin Mayes two as Willingdon were all out for 53 only for Iden to be skittled for 40 in reply despite 20 from Rens.

Back in Division Two and Battle fought out a draw away to Crowborough after rain brought proceedings to a halt with four overs remaining.

Joe Wood hit 44 and Craig Davies 40 as Battle totalled 176 batting first. Mike Gedye claimed three wickets as Crowborough reached 140-7 in reply.

Robertsbridge hung on for a draw at home to Fletching, who made 178 batting first with three wickets each for Nick Whiteman and Philip Green.

The same two players top-scored with 31 and 36 respectively as Robertsbridge got to 128-9 in reply. See Friday’s Observers for full reports.

Standings (played 10 matches) – Division 1: 1 Rottingdean 230pts, 2 St Peters 197, 3 IDEN 176, 4 Heathfield Park 162, 5 Ringmer 160, 6 Buxted Park 159, 7 Willingdon 156, 8 Plumpton & East Chiltington 148, 9 Ditchling 142, 10 Barcombe 95.

Division 2: 1 RYE 234pts, 2 Newick 228, 3 Crowborough 183, 4 Bells Yew Green 165, 5 BATTLE 162, 6 Chiddingly 144, 7 Laughton 135, 8 Fletching 122, 9 ROBERTSBRIDGE 121, 10 Hailsham 104.