Eastbourne College

The Martlets start off the 2017 season with a superb win against Eastbourne College.

After winning the toss of the year, there was no question of what to do as most of the team were still trying to find parking spaces within a two-mile radius of the ground!

Opening the batting were debutants Ben Caldera and David Rippengal. Benjamin Twine started off for the college and as expected bowled a wonderful first spell and restricted the Martlets to just 7 off of his first 5 overs. Rippengal was first to fall for just 13 which brought Mitchell Backhouse out to the crease. This wicket didn’t faze Caldera in the slightest, some incredible shots to every corner of the ground soon brought up his first Martlets ton. The Martlets didn’t hang about, finishing on 215. A respectable score considering the amount of dust brushed off of the away team’s equipment beforehand.

Lunch was, as usual, outstanding. Although some rather odd shaped bowls caused the players and officials to spill an awful lot of cream. Something for the college to reconsider for next year.

Thomas Martyn, the Eastbourne overseas, started off the attack for the Martlets giving away only 21 runs from his 10 overs and also claiming the wicket of Twine for just 6 runs.

The college looked to be struggling at 58 for 4, David Twine then looked to Martlets legend Mark Trubshaw to give the college a fighting chance, although that was not the original plan. The college were too far behind, even with the wonderful batting of Ben Macintosh (51) and Joe Pocklington (76), they fell 34 short with just three balls remaining.

A great game played in good spirit. Martlets look forward to the return next year.