Fun In The Sun, For All But One

With League rules forcing Hellingly 3s to concede the league game due to Hellingly 2s earlier concession. Both Captains agreed to still play the game as a friendly as we both still had teams.

Thanks to Hellingly for lending us a player after we released two down to our 4s to give them a full team.

Due to the Seaford captain inability to win the toss all season, an agreement was amusingly made with Seaford's umpire that he could call it....and still lost. Hellingly chose to field first.

A good opening start from Billy Wootten (33) and Jamie Cogdell (36) soon put 80 on the board before both fell in quick succession. This brought Gavin Wright (70no) and James Gravett (71) and they put on a century partnership in 16 overs. When Gravett became the third wicket to go, Dan Tuite (25no) joined Wright and pressed home the good batting display with a 68 partnership in the last 7 overs. Tuite batting really well under extreme pressure from a partisan home crowd willing a wicket to fall as their "turncoat" player was due in next.

Seaford ended their 40 overs on 260-3, a score that was looked well above par. A difficult day for the home bowlers, but giving credit they all kept their heads up.

In reply Hellingly got off to a fast start with N.Gatta (37) hitting 9 fours in an explosive innings, but when he was bowled by Jon Milham (3-43) for the first of his three wickets, the score changed quickly from 45-0 to 62-4 and the game was almost beyond Hellingly.

Bowling changes brought on Simon 'Statman' Pitts (3-8) and he bowled tightly and took his seasons tally to 36, including 16 consecutive games with a wicket, and a wicket in every 3s game he played this season (zzzzz).

Veteran opener B Booth (39) batted excellently but eventually fell to Pitts. With him gone, the game took a lighter conclusion. Gavin Wright, with his first bowl of the century, bowled at his arch nemesis Meg Loveland and created the biggest laugh of the day as she offered a sitter but was dropped. I don't think a bigger smile has ever been seen on a batters face, it was a joy to see. Finally though Dan Tuite (2-10) wrapped up the game helped by a great diving catch by James Gravett to end Hellingly's innings on 154.

A great game played in such light fun circumstances. Today cricket was most definitely the winner.

Scorecard