Thanks To The Wagging Tail

Seaford Sunday welcomed first time visitors Eastbourne Martlets to The Salts. They came on a fantastic day, the sun shining brightly, its was warm and not a breathe of wind.

Winning the toss the visitors decided to bowl first in this 40 over aside match. This looked to be an excellent decision when they had Seaford tottering on 53-6, J Wicking with 3-21 and A Vasquez 3-39 doing the damage. The top five batters managing only 33 runs between them. Martin Edmonds (23) holding firm, but when he was out it was not looking good for Seaford with 24 overs still to bat.

Ollie Smith came it at 8 and started to show his class as he struck several nice boundaries, together with Karl Wootten (16) they steadied the ship as they put on 35 for the seventh wicket. A further 35 runs were put on for the eighth wicket, Ben Harvey hanging around for his 6 before he decided to chance his arm and was stumped.

Simon Pitts (30 not out), fresh from a holiday in Barbados and clearly bringing back with him a bit of Caribbean batting style, rolled back the years and together with Smith (88 not out) they began to take the visitors bowling apart as they put on 80 for the ninth wicket, Seaford ending up on a decent 203-8 in their 40 overs.

After an excellent tea Seaford went out to field a defend their total. Neither Ben Harvey, now fully recovered from his Friday evening partytime, or Zak Hearsey could make any inroads with the new ball. The Martlets reached had 46 before the first wicket went down, the first ball bowled by Karl Wootten (1-21), a beauty of an off spinner that went through the gate and took out L Costello's off stump for 22. By now the Martlets were starting to fall behind the run rate on 48-1 off 16, an ideal time for Seaford skipper Paddy Smith to try a few options and give everyone a go with the ball. Young Ben Edmonds made the most of his opportunity, thanks to three decent catches from Martin Edmonds, Ollie Smith & Paddy Smith, he ended up with 3-14. Simon Pitts was eventually persuaded to have a go with the ball and he the improved his day by cleaning bowling A Vasquez for 31 and then claiming the shalp of R Calcott, who had batted doggedly for 34 overs for his 34, well caught by Zak Hearsey.

The Martlets batted out their 40 overs and up finished up on 145. Seaford claiming a second Sunday win of the season by 58 runs.

Thanks to the Martlets for being such good opposition.A enjoyable game of cricket with everyone getting a bat and a bowl.

Smith & Pitts walk off after an unbeaten 80 run partnership. Pitts still looking as fresh as a daisy

Scorecard