Landmark for captain but Three Bridges lose

Sussex Premier League

Horsham 291-8

Three Bridges 185

THREE Bridges were outclassed by a star-studded Horsham side containing three county players and a first class overseas player in their last game of the season.

Horsham batted first after winning the toss and Chris Nash and Mike Thornely immediately stroked the ball to all parts with ominous ease on a fine pitch.

With a lightning outfield there were plenty of boundaries made and a huge score looked on the cards. Thornely raced to 50 but fell straight after stumped by Joe Cooke following a well flighted Jigar Parekh delivery.

Nash also notched up a half century and seemed set for a major innings but he gloved a short pitch ball from Nathan Rowe to slip while trying to steer it towards third man.

Parekh got it together following the departure of the openers and soon deceived Mike Bates to clean bowl the Kiwi for just two as the hosts were reduced to 139-3.

Youngsters Devon Endersby and Will Beer kept Horsham cruising along. Endersby fell just short of a half century with 45 as he was trapped lbw by Jigar while Beer made a quickfire 67 as the score eased past the 250 mark.

There were late wickets as the innings came towards its conclusion and Horsham closed on 291-8. Jigar was the main wicket taker with 4-97 while there were two apiece for Alderman and Rowe. Alderman finished with an excellent season's haul of 39 wickets while Parekh took 27 and Rowe 26.

A good start was needed by Bridges to chase down the large total and Chadburn and Newell did just that, playing sensibly to post a partnership of 80.

Chadburn was bowled by Thornely for 31 but Newell was once again at his best and was enjoying the batsman friendly ground.

But as so often this year, the Bridges captain found little in the way of support and while Webber and Alderman both got starts neither made it beyond 15.

The remaining batsmen all fell cheaply. Newell was the fifth wicket to fall for a super 94 when he chipped a return catch to spinner Mark Nash who was the chief destroyer of the tail as he finished with 5-62.

There was some gutsy batting from Alan Lelliot who somehow infuriated the opposition paceman and was treated to a barrage of bouncers, being struck some hard blows around the body.

But the youngster did not flinch and continued to defy the quick for a good amount of time. The Horsham overseas player had the last laugh though as he got through the defence of Lelliot to obliterate the stumps, one of which almost impaled the keeper as it cartwheeled in spectacular fashion to wrap up a 106-run victory.

Newell can be well satisfied with his efforts with the bat as he topped the league's runs chart with a personal best total of 907 at an average of 53, way out in front of his nearest rivals, Gary Kleinveldt and Cullen Bailey of East Grinstead.

Richard Webber made good progress as he totalled 450 with Dan Alderman just behind.