Horsham start strongly as Hurst fall to heavy defeat
Horsham CC defied gale force elements to open their Division 2 promotion quest with a promising home win over Lindfield CC on Saturday.
After electing to bat Lindfield began steadily, but from 35-1, when captain Michael Thornely started the rot with a direct hit run out, they lost wickets steadily, with only evergreen skipper Simon Shivnarain’s 56 taking them to semi-respectability at 158-8 from their 45 overs, Ben Williams taking a miserly 3-24 and Ed Bird 2-32.
Horsham lost three early wickets to Jayson Butler (4-25), before Chris Nash returning to his home club, combined with Thornely, another former Sussex pro, to put Lindfield’s score within reach.
Thornely’s excellent early season form carried him to an unbeaten 63 after Nash had departed for 42, Horsham winning by five wickets with 8.1 overs still in the bank.
Post-matchThornelysaid: “They bowled well up top, putting us under pressure, so it was good to get a win under our belt and great to be batting with Nashy again after a few years. I couldn’t ask for more.”
Nash added: “After playing with my young nephews that was my early season net! It was nice to get started, and I’ll be playing as often as possible.”
On Saturday Horsham travel to Bognor Regis CC
MARTIN READ
Billingshust CC began their Division 2 campaign with a chastening ninewicket loss at St James’s Montefiore CC.
Michael Murray (4-30) put Hurst to the sword as the visitors were bowled out for 129 in 32.5 overs.
An 86-run opening wicket partnership from skipper
Toby Pullan (32) and Hector Loughton (74*) got St James’s off to a good start in the reply.
Pullan was bowled by Isaac Thorneley (1-23) but Ollie Bradley (12*) and Loughton powered St James’s to 131-1 in 21.2 overs to take victory.
Hurst welcome Burgess Hill CC to Jubilee Fields this Saturday.
Elsewhere in Division 2, Chris Webb was the star for Roffey CC 2nd XI (229-5) as they beat Chichester Priory Park CC (228-8) by five wickets.
Webb hit a run-a-ball 141* to guide his side home.