Injury-hit Priory tackle leaders

Key all-rounder Kirk Wernars has dislocated his shoulder, young batsman Tom Gillespie has fractured his hand and so has spin bowler Josh Poysden.

Priory are away to Sussex Premier League leaders Preston Nomads today (Saturday) before travelling to fifth-placed Roffey next weekend and hosting fourth-placed Horsham on July 14.

Wernars, who is averaging 121.67 with the bat and 12.67 with the ball for Priory this season, suffered his injury falling over during fielding training with Sussex County Cricket Club on Thursday, last week.

Although not as bad as first feared, it kept the tall South African out of Priory’s five-wicket loss at home to Worthing last weekend which ended their 22-month unbeaten record at Horntye Park Sports Complex in the league.

Gillespie was hit by a ball at Priory colts’ training last Friday evening, although he played against Worthing with the hand swollen. It emerged in the middle of this week that Poysden had also suffered a similar injury.

Tom Harvey, Joynal Ahmed and Elliot Hooper are expected to return from university and school commitments, but Priory’s main priority is not to lose too much ground on their opponents.

Vice-captain John Morgan said: “Without wishing to be too negative, it’s away to Nomads so if we come away with a draw and don’t lose too much ground, that will be a pleasing result.”

Nomads, who play in the village of Fulking, won the title in 2008, 2009 and 2010 only for Priory to wrestle it away from them last year. Just four points separate the league’s top two after eight games each this year.

See this week’s Hastings Observer for the full article.