Burgess Hill Remain Unbeaten
Hill secured their second victory of the season thanks to an unbeaten 122* from Kevin Ramsey, who also picked up 3 wickets.
Hill are sitting nicely 4 points off the top of the table, thanks to an outstanding all-round performance from Kevin Ramsey. Hill didn’t have the match all their own way however, after being sent in to bat, they lost their first wicket with the first ball, Tom Trowbridge caught at Second Slip. Things didn’t get any better, Ben Hopkins fell for 8 and Lewis Mamoany for 2 leaving Hill 49-3. Tom Penfold and Ramsey built a small partnership of 41 before Penfold departed, and he was followed by Joe Maskell for 2 caught behind, 95-5. Hill needed a partnership and someone to bat alongside Ramsey. Ramsey brought up his 50 not too long after, and a partnership with Luke Vick grew into the last 10 overs. Luke Vick started to up the tempo and smashed an almighty 6 over square leg, but he was out shortly after when caught at point try to push things along. A few cameo innings came and went, but Ramsey carried on hitting the bowlers all round the park. He brought up his first 100 of the season thanks to back to back boundaries, and push on further to finish on 122 not out, and left Hill with a par score of 215-7.
Hill knew it would be tough to keep Preston Nomad’s run rate down, having come off the back of score 400+ in their first game. A couple of breakthroughs from Peter Billinghay left Nomads 61-2 and when Dan Rapson picked up his first wicket, the score was 66-3. At the half way stage Nomads sat nicely on 85-3 needing another 128 from 22 overs. Opener Luke Schildkamp was building and passed his 50 shortly after. After trying to up the scoring rate, Ed Salkield fell to Kevin Ramsey bowled, before Abdul Shafi hit his first ball for 4. Shafi tried to do the same very next ball, but was stumped leaving Nomads on 101-5. A few more wickets fell around Schildkamp but he was going nicely. Kev Ramsey however picked up his third and the most important wicket when he had him stumped for 73 leaving Nomads needing 28 with 2 wickets remaining. Captain Owen Kernan was in fine form with the bat hitting the bowlers into the road but when his partner Stephen Rigg fell for 6, LBW to Maskell, Nomads needed 15 from the last 2 overs with 1 wicket in hand. Some excellent bowling from Rapson brought the runs down to 11 needed from the final over. Captain Maskell stood up to the challenge and only went for 6 and Burgess Hill ran out winners by 5 runs.
In a very tight game, and a great advert for recreational cricket, Maskell said after the game ‘it was great relief to get over the winning line. Winning games of cricket breeds confidence, and to win tight games like these gives the group plenty of belief that we can go far this season.’ Hill travel to joint leaders Portslade next week where they will be looking to remain unbeaten.