Haffenden slams second successive century

The in-form number four followed up his 104 not out against Findon the previous weekend by hitting 107 off just 91 balls with 19 fours and two sixes away to Glynde & Beddingham.

Haffenden moves above Eastbourne captain Mark Tomsett to second in Sussex Cricket League Division Two’s leading runscorers with 550 league runs at an average of 55. It was all to no avail, though, because the match was eventually abandoned due to rain.

Having been asked to bat, Bexhill at one stage found themselves 56-3 with Tim Hambridge (26) the only one of the top three to reach double figures. But that all changed as Haffenden and Shawn Johnson compiled a record fourth wicket partnership for Bexhill in 1st XI Sussex League cricket.

Haffenden and Johnson put on 114 together against Findon, and they performed even better this time with a super stand of 181. Both eventually fell trying to up the pace as Bexhill looked for a declaration after a rain break having been told there was a 100% chance of rain by 6pm.

Johnson made 74 from 86 deliveries and Bexhill declared at 258-5. After the customary early wicket for Joe Cox thanks to a Jack Richardson catch behind the stumps, Callum Guest and Andrew Williams also struck before the rain arrived as predicted with Glynde 94-3 in the 23rd over.

Still winless Glynde did not have any points at this stage and Bexhill felt confident of bowling them out. All of the other four games in the division were also abandoned so Bexhill remain in third position.

Standings (all played 13 matches): 1 Eastbourne 314pts, 2 Goring-by-Sea 298, 3 BEXHILL 279, 4 Findon 243, 5 Ifield 221, 6 CROWHURST PARK 220, 7 St James’s Montefiore 196, 8 Middleton 184, 9 Glynde & Beddingham 122, 10 Pulborough 120.