LNZ win by 191 runs on a first visit to Ditchling

Peter Southey-Jensen (84) and Richard Boon (56) set up 263-7 declared, then Brad Abraham and Leith Cowie bowled Ditchling out for 72.

London New Zealand CC innings

Peter Southby-Jensen — 84: The outstanding innings of the match, providing the mainstay of the LNZCC total with a superb combination of pinch-hitting and classy stroke play.
Richard Boon — 56: An excellent supporting innings, helping build a commanding total with a classical top-order batting approach. Ditchling awarded MOTM for LNZCC a great welcome back to London
Adam Khanbai — 42: A valuable contribution at the top of the order, putting the loose balls away and finding the boundary regularly.
Lauchie Johns — 28: Another important and commanding contribution as LNZCC established control of the game.
LNZCC eventually declared on an imposing 263/7 — certainly par, but perhaps not quite the biggest score that Match Manager Reza Maroof has presided over! Useful lower-order contributions came from Ben Fawkes (10), Leith Cowie (11) and Brad Abrahams (6).
Charlie Eastman was the pick of the Ditchling attack, finishing with an impressive 3/53 from 12 overs and deservedly taking Player of the Match from Ditchling’s perspective.
Ditchling skipper Mark Pepler also bowled effectively, returning 2/19 from 5 overs.

Ditchling CC innings — The Bowlers Set the Tone

The LNZCC bowlers produced an outstanding performance to restrict Ditchling to just 72 all out, with wickets falling regularly and no sustained partnership allowed to develop.

Leith Cowie was the outstanding bowler, finishing with 3/11 from 6 overs, including two maidens.
Brad Abrahams provided excellent support, taking an impressive 4/27 from 6 overs and accounting for four key wickets. With Ditchling’s innings rapidly slipping beyond recovery, the skipper perhaps could have afforded to take him off a little earlier!
Stan Woolliscroft, playing only his second game for LNZCC while living overseas between Malaysia and New Zealand, produced a tidy spell of 1/10 from 2 overs. A useful addition to the bowling attack from our NZ over-70s touring contingent!
Reza Maroof completed the bowling effort with 1/24, attempting to leak a few runs with his trademark grenades — although Ditchling never managed to establish the sustained scoring partnership required to take advantage.
The wickets came regularly throughout the innings, keeping Ditchling firmly on the back foot and preventing their middle order from building any momentum.

LNZCC fielding highlights

Leith Cowie was equally impressive in the field, taking four catches, including one spectacular caught-and-bowled that was genuinely a worldie.
Peter Southby-Jensen took a superb diving catch at backward point, followed by another genuine worldie, scooping the ball almost off the grass.
Cheyne Voss showed excellent awareness and athleticism to take a catch running backwards.
Lauchie Johns displayed quick feet and impressive handling to create a very close run-out opportunity.

Ditchling batting

Alfie Bares — 25: Toiled through a tight opening spell and provided Ditchling with their highest score.
Mark Pepler — 17: Battled hard for his runs.
Imran — 13: Provided some resistance and successfully dispatched a few of Maroof’s grenades!

The verdict

A comprehensive 191-run victory for London New Zealand CC, built around excellent bowling, sharp fielding and some very good batting at the top of the order.

More importantly, it was a fantastic Bank Holiday weekend trip to East Sussex and LNZCC’s first game in Ditchling East Sussex.

A huge thanks to Mark Pepler and Ditchling CC for the hospitality — an impressive spread for lunch, port, teas and a BBQ at the end of the evening made it a memorable trip both on and off the field.

A great game, a great result, and, most importantly, new friends made in Sussex.