Storm Bilesh Batters Park

Bilesh Jayamanne solid in his defence

Seaford's batting unit finally hit its straps on a glorious breeze less Salts day, skipper Karl Wootten won a toss at last and batted first.

Openers Wootten and Rob Gravett took the shine off the new ball riding their luck a little before the skipper gifted Williams the first wicket chasing a wide one. Gravett and last weeks batting hero Jon Robards soon followed leaving Seaford teatering at 54/3. Bilesh Jayamanne started watchfully alongside vice skipper Deiniol Cummins (29) returning from Uni for his first knock of the season,with some lusty blows from Cummins they took the score to 96 before he picked out square leg perfectly to end his innings. Owen Edmonds came and went without troubling the scorers giving long off some catching practice on the way, the fines chairman will contribute to that fund for this innings surely. Veteran Jolly John Smith then helped  Bilesh find his top gear as boundaries started to flow. Heathfield finding the loss of some of their bowlers to the first team to much to cover, with Smith now gone Seaford were looking a little below par on 123/6 , with only 8 overs remaining. A late onslaught was required. The lack of a final bowling option for Heathfield proved decisive in this game, as the onslaught arrived right on queue in the shape of Ben Page (39*) finding his form at last, he joined MOM Bilesh 88* to send the ball to all corners of the park 97 runs coming of the last 8 overs, at last Seaford posted 200 plus total.

Heathfield started how they needed in positive mode, however the accuracy of Seaford's openers Mike "Team Bus" Spragg and Jolly John Smith soon forced the rash shots to the wrong balls,  Team Bus sending back the openers in his impressive nine over spell of 2/14, the bounce he found on The Salts track kept keeper Edmonds adding to the fines pot nicely. John Smith being replaced by team vet John P Smith reaped dividends straight away with a wicket in his first over, two more for JP Smith (3/34) ripped the top order out, it now looked like damage limitation and bonus points chasing for the Park. Billy Wootten with a really impressive spell of controlled left arm medium stopped Park moving forward. Cummins then joined the attack and as JP Smith did grabbed a wicket in his first over. Ben Page then came on from the Sea End and as Cummins and Smith before him picked up a scalp first over, ending up with 2 for 8 to see the innings out. Park ending up well short on the day 132/8.

Seaford again held their catches and in the main impressed with the ground fielding to back the bowling unit up.

Well done all, a fine all round team performance to maintain the victorious start to the season.We all look forward to next week with a trip to the picturesque Buxted Park looking to carry on in same vain.

Author: Karl Wootten