Park beaten in league clash

After the previous weekend’s washout at Billingshurst - the only game in the division affected by rain - Park were in need of a victory to push them up the table.

Asked to bat first, Paul Brookes and Dale Payne got Park off to a relatively comfortable start, which gave no indication of the difficulties that were ahead.

Brookes was caught behind off Daniel Groves with the score on 25 and when Payne fell in the next over, Park’s troubles began. 29-2 soon became 55-5 and the regular fall of wickets which has been an issue for Park all season continued.

A mini partnership between first team debutant Fox Parker (10) and Pete Beaumont (14) gave Park some hope, but when they departed in quick succession, the team was bowled out for just 99.

Quick wickets would be critical to put pressure on the low run chase and when Brookes made the breakthrough in the first over, it seemed that Park had a chance. Sam Dorrington (30) and Jack Groves (41) took the attack to the bowlers, though, and put on 71 runs for the second wicket.

A brief glimmer of hope appeared when Brookes took two more quick wickets to leave Ifield 74-4 and then 95-6, but the visitors got over the line in 27 overs with four wickets in hand.

Eighth-placed Park picked up just three points despite another fighting performance from Brookes, who finished with 5-35 to make it 18 wickets in Park’s last three completed league games.