Local Cricket - Uckfield overwhelmed by Little Common

It all happened over the weekend

Under a warm blue sky, Uckfield Anderida welcomed Little Common to the Victoria Ground for the first league match of the season, feeling optimistic. Playing on a reused wicket, the Uckfield skipper was unsure what to do on winning the toss and ultimately elected to field given some reasonable bowling strength in the team.  

However, the visitors soon dampened the home side’s optimism with some effective, if at times fortunate, ball striking that brought regular early boundaries on a fast, hard outfield that had the home team chasing plenty of leather in the heat. Atkin and Powell were well passed 100 for the first wicket, following a number of dropped catches it must be said, before a breakthrough came with Atkin bunting the ball to square leg for 84. Powell continued but slowed his scoring rate and eventually fell to a ball that shot through at shin height from a good length for an excellent 79. Thereafter Uckfield took regular wickets with Boniface, Bland and Beal picking up a couple each, and visitors finished on a very decent 279-8.

At tea then Uckfield knew they had a task on their hands, but an achievable one with the outfield as fast as it was. And they made a fast start, with Morton taking 12 from a wayward first over, but then the skipper, Grimes, fell for just 4, followed promptly by Shelley for 7. This set the tone for a steady loss of wickets that diluted the impact of a brisk half century from Morton before magical duties called him away. Clifford and Smith shared 3 wickets a piece for the visitors and Uckfield eventually succumbed for just 136, some 143 runs short.  

Uckfield will be hoping for better things when they travel to Tunbridge Wells Borderers next week. Photos were taken by Chris Brady from UACC.