Lewes FC
At the time of going to
press, Lewes had been
drawn with County
League side Loxwood
in the semi final of the
Sussex Senior Cup,
with Burgess Hill Town
being paired with Whitehawk
in the other semi. By the time you read this
we’ll know the result and if Lewes will be in
the final at the Amex or not!
Off the pitch, congratulations go to Stuart
Fuller who has been appointed the new
Club Chairman, taking on the role from Terry
Parris who stood down from the Football
Club board last October to take the role as
Vice-President. In mid February, the club
surprisingly announced that manager Garry
Wilson, assistant manager Danny Bloor and
firm team coach Dean Lightwood stepped
down by mutual consent.
Ex Brighton & Hove Albion and Whitehawk
Midfielder Tommy Fraser will add some steel
to the midfield having joined in December,
while early February saw the addition of
former QPR player, striker Calum Willock
to boost the attacking options alongside
leading scorer Luke Blewden.
If you thought there
was no Sussex cricket
action to speak of
between September
and April let me put
you in the picture as to
what some of the team
have been up to.
Bowler Chris Liddle has been playing
in Hong Kong’s domestic 50 over
competition, and made 61 with the bat as
his KCC Templars side took on the HKCC
Scorpions.
Sussex batsman Matt Machan has been
playing for Scotland while his skipper Ed
Joyce has been playing for Ireland in the
Dubai Triangular Series. While Joyce
struck a half century in his side’s opening
3 wicket victory against Afghanistan, he
This issue, I thought I
would let you have
a glimpse in to the
world of Sussex’s top
Hockey Club over the
last 3 months and what
the next few months hold
for East Grinstead.
The Christmas period is always a busy
one for hockey. The domestic outdoor
season gives way to the indoor league and
the England / GB team typically competes
in a major tournament in sunnier climes.
This year, East Grinstead Hockey Club
had interests on all fronts. Just prior to
Christmas, Sophie Bray and Kirsty Mackay
travelled to Argentina to compete in the
Champions Trophy where they finished 5th.
When Sophie and Kirsty returned, they both
played key parts in helping EG make their
first ever indoor league national final. The
match was held at Wembley arena and saw
the girls play in front of 6,000 spectators for
the first time. Although they lost 4:1 to a side
that has won the title ten times previously,
they are well setup as we return to the
outdoor season from February to April.
The form in 2015 shows the Rooks have
won 3 out of 8 games after going the
first 270 minutes of the new year without
scoring, leaving them in the lower half of
the Ryman Premier League. But there are
many reasons to be cheerful including the
performance against promotion chasing
East Thurrock with Sam Cole grabbing 2 in
2 minutes in the hard earned 3-2 victory at
the Dripping Pan.
Sussex County Cricket Club
East Grinstead Hockey Club
only managed 5 as Ireland beat Scotland,
despite Machan scoring 86 in 50 overs.
Meanwhile, down under Sussex’s Luke
Wright continued to star in Australia’s Big
Bash for the Melbourne Stars.
He has notched 45 from only 37 deliveries
against the Adelaide Strikers whilst he
smashed 39 from 21 balls against the
Melbourne Renegades. Despite his duck
in the clash with Sydney Sixers he held his
nerve during the super-over with James
Faulkner to lead the Stars to victory.
Craig Cachopa starred for Auckland in
New Zealand’s Ford Trophy, their domestic
50-over tournament. After a 42-ball 70 in
their opening win of the campaign against
Wellington, he also led his side to victory
with 51 from 35 balls against Canterbury,
before hitting 110 as Auckland amassed
344 all out in the win over Otago.
All-rounder Ashar Zaidi continued his
Dhaka Premier Division campaign in
Bangladesh scoring 41 for the Legends
of Rupganj in their defeat to Prime Bank
Cricket Club
Meanwhile on the mens side, East
Grinstead saw 5 players called up to
England duty with their Champions Trophy
event in India. Ashley Jackson, who
finished 2014 ranked in the world’s top 5
players, was joined by David Condon, Chris
Griffiths, Mark Gleghorne and Paddy Smith.
The group performed well, beating World
Champions Australia, top 5 side Belgium
and thrashing Pakistan 8:2. Finishing 7th
belies some excellent performances as the
group gels ahead of Rio 2016 which is the
main goal.
Like the ladies, the contingent of England
men from EG returned to Indoor league
action where they also reached the final at
Wembley winning 6:5 which meant they had
win the title 7 times in a row.
The men now turn their attention to the
Outdoor league and will be looking to book
their place in the playoff finals in April for the
5th time in 6 years.
Looking beyond that, the summer will see
the European Nations Cup held at Olympic
Park and East Grinstead expects to be well
represented.
Meanwhile England Lions have been
playing in South Africa and they’ve been,
led by Sussex’s Professional Cricket
Manager Mark Robinson.
Finally, good luck to Chris Jordan and the
rest of the England squad in Australia for
the ICC Cricket World Cup.
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