Billingshurst's promotion hopes take another hit with third straight loss

Ed Verrall top-scored for Billingshurst with 69 in their two-wicket defeat at home to Bognor Regis.
Picture by Peter Cripps. — Ed Verrall top-scored for Billingshurst with 69 in their two-wicket defeat at home to Bognor Regis. Picture by Peter Cripps.

Billingshurst's promotion hopes took another hit as they suffered their third consecutive defeat inÂ Division 2.

A two-wicket reverse at home to Bognor Regis has left the Jubilee Fields side with work to do if they are to return to the Premier Division at the first time of asking.

Tom Haynes’ side’s early-season dominance is over as they slipped down to fifth in the table and 12 points off the top three.

The captain said: “Some results went our way on the weekend, so we are still well in the mix for promotion.

“It’s a strange league, results can go either way. We just have to make sure we start winning.”

The home side’s openers Scott Stratton (16) and Haynes (25) put on an opening stand of 29 after then won the toss and batted.

Stuart Barber came and went for a duck, before some Haynes and topscorer Ed Verall (69) helped them to 66-3 before Joe Ashmore (4-52) claimed the scalp of the skipper.

Overseas Verrall and Andy Barr (29) then shared a 97-run stand for the fourth wicket, before both were dismissed in quick succession.