Sussex County League 
 Division 3 East 1st XI Competition

SEAFORD v CRAWLEY  COUNTY LEAGUE DIVISION 3 – SATURDAY 3 MAY 

Seaford Cricket Club started their new venture in Sussex County League Division 3 East with a resounding 6 wicket victory over Crawley. Seaford won the toss and quickly invited the opposition to bat on what looked a good Salts wicket. Crawley got off to a solid start until some comedy “yes-no-yes-sorry” running between the wickets resulted in the opening wicket to fall. Crawley consolidated and after a good opening spells from Paul Massoon (2 – 25) and Linford Cooper it was left to Jamie Goddard (2 – 21), head band and all, to make the breakthrough. With wickets proving hard to take, the Seaford bowling unit stuck to their task well and eventually bowled Crawley out for 179 in the 48^th over. Pete Copplestone (2 – 36) was the final member of the coveted two wicket club, picking up the wicket of P Clifford (34) when he was well set.
In response Seaford made a good solid start with both openers Nick Pink (25) and Adam Kneller (22) looking in good form but neither batsman was able to cash in against an average bowling attack. A third wicket stand of 80 between Jacob Thompson (68*) and Jamie Goddard (29) set Seaford up for victory. Both batsmen batted with style and class with Thompson already looking like a fine addition to the Seaford set up. After Goddard’s dismissal to the wily R Chauda (4 – 62), Pete Copplestone kept on top of the run-rate with a quick fire 14 but he was caught out attempting to hit the ball over the railway line.  It was then left to Thompson and skipper Chris Stanyard (14*) to see Seaford home. A few lusty blows including a 6 to win the game saw Seaford reach the 180 total with 10 over’s to spare much to the delight of Seaford’s very own Barmy Army. A good start to what will prove a testing first season in the County League for Seaford’s young guns.
After the game a sprightly Linford Cooper added, “It was important to get off to a good start and we’re all delighted with the win. Next week we will have to build on this start, we will have to turn up in the right state of mind and on time as Burgess Hill will be a tough game.” 

SEAFORD WIN BY 6 WICKETS  SEAFORD 30 POINTS, CRAWLEY 8 POINTS