Hurstpierpoint College | Sussex Martlets

Match Report

After a delayed start due to rain a reduction of 35 overs a side was agreed. The Martlets lost the toss and the college chose to bat.

Having to bowl first in overcast conditions did not seem a bad prospect. Unfortunately J Ludlow was opening for the college and got straight into rythym timing the ball beautifully. The left/right combination of opening batsman caused our bowlers problem getting their lines right in this early season game. Eventually the first wicket fell at 79. J Ludlow cruised to a century without ever looking like getting out. This was his second century in this fixture and he still isn’t in the top year at school! Only one more wicket was taken with a great catch under a very high ball by M Campopiano. The innings closed on 236 for the loss of 2 wickets. J Ludlow 121* off 105 balls.

With a long batting line up the Martlets were quietly confident. But seeing both openers back in the pavillion at 17 for 2 caused concerns but OJ Brad Gaylor and Three Bridges overseas Ben Speake got their heads down and the scoreboard moved along nicely. After a partnership of 95 Speake fell for 37 off 41. This brought M Campopiano to the crease to team up with fellow OJ Gaylor. This partnership brought 32 runs before Campopiano fell LBW for 15. Now the scoreboard pressure started and the Martlets struggled against some very tight bowling and fielding. Gaylor fell LBW for an excellent 77 off 80. The lower order swung the willow in vain and finished off 180 for 9 of their 35 overs therefore losing by 56 runs.

The Martlets fought hard in every aspect of the game but came up against a high quality and well drilled side, which is a testament to the hard work of Nick Creed and Robin Martin-Jenkins. It’s always a difficult fixture as a lot of the Martlets cricketers are just starting off their season whereas the college team are fresh from a winter of indoor nets and quite a few fixtures against other school sides.