Billingshurst seal maiden success in the top flight

Billlingshurst clinched their first ever Sussex League Premier Division success on Saturday.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd May 2015, 12:00 BST

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Cricket: Billingshurst (batting) v Three Bridges. Shane West in action. 25.04.15. Pic Steve Robards SUS-150427-201414001Cricket: Billingshurst (batting) v Three Bridges. Shane West in action. 25.04.15. Pic Steve Robards SUS-150427-201414001
Cricket: Billingshurst (batting) v Three Bridges. Shane West in action. 25.04.15. Pic Steve Robards SUS-150427-201414001

Hurst, who were promoted from Division 2 last season, saw off Eastbourne by 65 runs in what proved to be a low-scoring affair at the Jubilee Fields.

The home side were forced to play the game with just ten players after Andrew Welfare was injured in the warm-up.

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But Billingshurst skipper Ben Williams was delighted as his side secured their first success. He said: “To get this victory was absolutely fantastic.

“We have worked really hard to get where we are now and it’s great to win in this league.

“The fact that we have done it against a strong Eastbourne side with just ten players makes it that little more special. Full credit to the side for the effort they showed to go on and get the victory.”

It was Billingshurst who won the toss and decided to bat first. Openers Scott Stratton (26) and David Rose (ten) put on 36 for the first wicket.

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Mike Burroughs (36) and Dhanushka Mitipolaarchchi (37) had a stand of 65 for the third-wicket and help their side to 106-3

However, it was a struggle from there on in and the final seven wickets fell for 67 and they were all out for 173 in 52.1 overs, with Andy Barr making 26 and Shane West an unbeaten 15.

Matthew Cooke and Delray Rawlins both took three wickets for Eastbourne.

Billingshurst made early inroads with the ball dismissing Callum Jackson (12) and Dominic Shepherd (nought) to restrict Eastbourne to 23-2.

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They continued to lose wickets regularly throughout and were all out for just 108 in 28.5 overs, with Dan Wells top scoring with 28.

With the ball, Barr claimed 4-31, Mitipolaarchchi finished with impressive figures of 3-5 from nine overs and debutant Will Fazakerley took 2-29 .

Billingshurst travel to Bexhill in the league on Saturday.

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Related topics:BillingshurstHurstEastbourneDivision 2