Massive weekend for Priory
Jason Finch has admitted that Hastings Priory are in a relegtion battle going into a hugely important weekend.
Priory have plunged into the Sussex Cricket League Premier Division's dreaded bottom two on the back of three consecutive defeats.
Tomorrow (Saturday), they host a third-bottom Haywards Heath side which on Sunday became the first team this season to beat the Sussex Development XI.
Priory captain Finch said: "Reality actually says we're in a relegation battle. We won't be there at the end of the year, I can assure you of that, but at the moment the league table doesn't lie."
Key fast bowler Tim van Noort and wicketkeeper/batsman Richard Young are expected to return, but Pepler Sandri has been called-up to the Sussex side which is playing Australia.
"Saturday we're fielding a league-winning outfit," continued Finch, "but it's not about names on paper, it's about performing. People need to roll their sleeves up and dig in for the team."
The root of Priory's problems of late has been the batting and Finch plans to reshuffle a line-up which has posted sub-par totals in each of the last three matches.
Among the changes will be John Morgan, who Finch describes as "probably the best number nine or 10 the league's ever had", going up into the top six.
Finch went on: "This is a massive weekend. It's bat and bowl for our lives even though it's early on the season, and I need my big personalities to show me a bit of fight and doggedness.
"I'm very, very disappointed with the way we've performed in the league, but I'm still very buoyant. We're hugely positive in the dressing room. There's a very strong team spirit and that will see us through."
Then on Sunday, Priory have what Finch regards as "a bit of a release" when they visit Kent Premier League leaders Bromley in the group 16 final of the ECB National Club Championship.
Finch added: "They're going to have 11 ex-pros, but we can beat them. Forty-five over cricket with powerplays, you never know. I'm hopeful we can give them a game."
George Campbell and James Chaplin should feature, but van Noort is unavailable. Richard May, a hundred hero in the previous round, won't figure even though he has been cleared to play.
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Weather for St Leonards-on-Sea
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
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