EP ease to victory at rivals Clymping

Home-side Clymping, having lost the toss and been put into bat, were all out for 125 from 45 overs as Richard Hanks top-scored with 22 runs, while a fine spell with the ball from East Preston captain Richard Laker saw him finish with figures of 5-47.

EP then chipped off the modest total for the loss of just three wickets.

Karl Piece (1-20) made an early break through with the ball to dismiss EP’s Gary Weedon for one, before Chris Williams (19) added 32 along with Smith for the second wicket.

Tim Miles (12) was the third wicket to fall with the score on 64, but a fourth-wicket stand of 62 between Smith, who finished 43 not out, and Sunderland, who struck 46 not out off 36 balls, comfortably saw EP home for their second win of the season.

Laker said: “I am very happy with our performance and the much-needed 30 points.

“The wicket was in good condition despite all the poor weather through the week, although it did suit the bowlers slightly more than the batsmen.

“The bowling unit performed well nonetheless, particularly Dan Williams bowling 15 overs for just 15 runs and myself picking up another five wickets, it was a solid performance from all.

“Jack and Colin set about scoring the required runs relatively easily and the win and 30 points puts us back in the thick of where we want to be.”

None of the Clymping batsmen managed to push on after plenty made starts with James Askew and captain Chris Green both hitting 20, although the latter’s came from 74 balls.

This was partly due to some fine bowling by Dan Williams who bowled 15 overs unchanged which went for just 15 runs as he picked up two wickets and bowled eight maidens.

Laker said afterwards that he feared for Clymping’s future in the division: “Our opinion was that Clymping did not have a game plan to accumulate runs, highlighted in the way their skipper scored just 20 runs from near 80 balls, despite not looking in trouble at any stage.

“We enjoy our local rivalry with Clymping but fear that their performance could see them battling for Division 1 survival – which would be a real shame for the EP versus Clymping rivalry”

Clymping now travel to Portslade on Saturday, while EP host Division 1 leaders Crawley Eagles

Laker added: “If we can repeat the performance against league leaders Crawley Eagles this week, it will close up the gap, making for an interesting season.”