Priory still on course despite draw

Hastings Priory’s cricketers remain on course for promotion despite being held to a hugely frustrating draw on Saturday.
George Campbell scored a magnificent unbeaten century in Hastings Priory's draw away to FindonGeorge Campbell scored a magnificent unbeaten century in Hastings Priory's draw away to Findon
George Campbell scored a magnificent unbeaten century in Hastings Priory's draw away to Findon

Priory failed to claim the final wicket for victory away to Findon, but they continue to hold the second and last Sussex Cricket League Division Two promotion place.

Third-placed Lindfield were beaten at home to Ifield so Priory’s advantage over them has increased to nine points with one game remaining. Leaders Worthing need just one more point to make certain of the title.

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After an extremely wet preceding few days, Priory lost the toss and were asked to bat by second-bottom Findon. Priory battled their way to a very creditable 184-7 thanks largely to a magnificent 106 not out by George Campbell.

Campbell came to the crease with Priory 23-3, but he shifted the momentum in the visitors’ favour with the help of 13 fours and six sixes in his first Priory century since making a match-winning 109 not out away to Stirlands in 2008.

Jake Woolley (10), Joe Lamb (20) and John Morgan (18) all provided useful support. Campbell and Lamb put on 54 for the sixth wicket which kick-started the recovery from 68-5.

When Priory took to the field, Adam Barton removed both Findon openers to leave the hosts 12-2. Wickets continued to go down thereafter and Priory looked firmly on course for victory with Findon 61-7.

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Number seven Toby Kingsbury had other ideas, though, and began the Findon fightback by forging an eighth wicket partnership of 70 with James Iago (28).

Elliot Hooper eventually bowled Iago and then claimed the ninth wicket before another run had been added, but Priory were denied an 11th league victory of the season by an unbroken last wicket stand of 21 between Kingsbury (59 not out) and Jack Woods (8 not out) as Findon finished on 152-9.

All five Priory bowlers picked up wickets. Barton finished with 2-20 off 10 overs, Finn Hulbert 1-16 off seven, Morgan 2-12 off six, Jed O’Brien 1-64 off 14 and Hooper 3-34 off 10.

Standings (all played 17 matches): 1 Worthing 393pts, 2 HASTINGS PRIORY 363, 3 Lindfield 354, 4 Three Bridges 348, 5 Ifield 316, 6 St James’s Montefiore 302, 7 Pagham 288, 8 Ansty 259, 9 Findon 230, 10 CROWHURST PARK 114.

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