Roffey's quest for third title is edging closer

After deciding to field first, George Fleming ripped through Bexhill’s batting as they were skittled out for 143 in 53.3 overs.

Roffey had a little wobble in reply but contributions of 35 from Usman Khan and 45 not out from Rohit Jagota helped Matt Davies’ side to 147-5 from 31.1 overs.

An 11th win of the season for Roffey saw them extend their lead at the summit to 19-points over Cuckfield with three games to play.

Despite that cushion, Davies does not want his side to get carried away.

He said: “We are in a good position but nothing has been achieved just yet.

“We’ve got three games left to play and all we are focused on is the next one.

“I just want us to take it one game at a time and then see where we are.

“The position we have got ourselves in is fantastic but we have still got a lot of hard work to do.

“I felt we played really well on Saturday against a tough side in Bexhill.

“It was a good toss to win, with George leading the attack really well.

“We lost a couple of early wickets in reply but Usman’s quickfire knock got us close, then Rohit got us home.”

Fleming was in fine form dismissing three of Bexhill’s top five batters to leave them in some trouble.

Skipper Jonathan Haffenden tries his best to pull things back from Bexhill with 31, while Ethan Guest made 22.

Those contributions were never going to be enough, though, as Haffenden eventually saw his side lose their final wicket with the score on 143.

Flelming lead Roffey’s attack claiming figures of 4-59, while Jagota, Leigh Harrison and Luke Barnard ended with two wickets each.

Liam Gibson (four) and Alex Southon (four) fell in quick succession as Roffey’s reply didn’t start well.

Khan came in and smashed a run-a-ball 35, while opener Theodore Rivers made 32 in quick time to get his side back on track.

Jagota then ended unbeaten on 45 to guide Roffey to yet another league victory.

With basement boys Worthing up next for Roffey, many would be assuming another 30 points will be earned on Saturday.

Davies is taking nothing for granted, though, and knows his side will have to perform should they collect another win.

He added: “Looking at it most people will be thinking it’s another win for us.

“We aren’t looking at it like that and we know it will be another battle for us.

“We’ve got three games to and we know victory in those will be enough.

“It’s important to start this last little push with a win on Saturday.

“After Worthing we’ve got Horsham, which is always a battle.

“We know it’s not going to be easy if we are to win these final few matches but we’ll give it our best.

“If we can win this game against Worthing then that will set us up nicely for the last two games.”

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