Batting first, Henfield lost two early wickets as Prior made early inroads into the top order. Bagwell and Cleary, both bowled for 14 and 4 respectively. Griffiths and Stewart steadied the ship, before Stu Catterall clung onto an excellent slip catch from the bowling of Jordan Crow for 28. In at 5, Parsons looked in no mood to hang about, but Weston trapped him LBW for 11. Tom Payne looked a class act and supported by Griffiths the pair put on a useful partnership. It took Jonty Greenwood’s fine spell to break the partnership, disturbing Griffith’s stumps, with the batsman having made a solid 38.

Jonny Willis and Keith Greenwood kept a lid on the run rate. King was bowled by Willis for a duck and M Minchwell struck a 6 before being caught by Singh for Prior’s 3rd wicket. Payne remained Not Out for 46 and Spooner Not Out 1 as the total amassed 180-8.

On recent form, this was a comfortable target for The Nutters to overhaul. The early loss of Jonty Greenwood was a blow, as the opener gently lobbed the ball to the waiting Spooner. Spooner probably saved the Visitors 25 runs patrolling the road side boundary. Skipper Samways looked in good touch, but when Jonny Willis (15) was left stranded halfway down the wicket after one of those Yes, No, Wait moments that we all dread, the batting order looked suddenly vulnerable.

David Thompson made a confidentt 17 before being bowled by Keane and Catterall hit two sweet boundaries before being bowled by Minchell The Younger. Olly Prior’s visit to the crease was all too brief and Charlie South managed to pick out Spooner in the outfield, having scored just 5.

Raggi Singh is a good guy to have still in the shed at No 8 and his great form continued. Samways made a very well balanced 50 before being bowled. The Nutters had been coasting towards the target, but this dismissal opened the door for Henfield.

Jordon Crow made 5, but with the experienced Graham Prior and Weston still to come, the match was in the balance. Prior looked in really good shape until he too the aerial route. He could only look on in horror as the ball stalled in the strong breeze and he was caught by Mitchell off the bowling of Crawley for 10. Crawley closed out the win for Henfield, as he scuppered Weston for 0. Singh remained unbowed on 34 Not Out as the innings closed on 169 in the penultimate over.

A very pleasant game of village cricket, accompanied by a magnificent Tea by Mr & Mrs Crow.

- From the quill of TC Weston