Thirty-seven at first glance would not appear a daunting target.

But it sufficed for Horsham Under-21s as they beat Three Bridges V in West Sussex League Division Three by one run on Saturday. Put into bat, Horsham struggled on a difficult wicket with opening bat Graham Marsh top scoring with nine. Bridges' R. Africa took 5-12 off 12 overs. In the chase, five extras off the first two overs appeared to put Bridges in command as they had 66 overs left to reach 38 but Horsham's bowlers soon got their measure and, with M. White taking 4-15, they edged a thrilling win.

Polegate and Stone Cross are celebrating their first win for two years. The East Sussex League side failed to win a single match during the 2000 season but they opened the new campaign with a six wicket success against Pevensey last Saturday.

Nearly 600 runs in a match totalling 80 overs? Not a bad effort. The huge totals came in the 40-overs a side National Village Knockout competition as Glynde took on Bolney. The former amassed a tremendous 382-2 at 9.55 runs an over with Dave Procter clubbing 163 not out and Dominic Shepherd 151. In reply, Bolney totalled a target of 203-5, which would normally be enough for victory in this competition.

Cricket clubs have good reason to worry about their fixtures overlapping with the football season but Ringmer had a different sport to battle with last weekend. The East Sussex League Division One side were missing half their normal side for the game against Rye as a number of players have gone on a golfing weekend to Spain.

A couple of tailenders have been offering good reason for a nudge up the batting order. Mark Usher scored 71 not out after coming in at No. 8 for Battle in their East Sussex League clash with Glynde, while John Daubney struck 57 while batting at No. 10 for East Dean against Selmeston in the Cuckmere Valley League.

Another late blast down the order came in the Mid Sussex League clash between East Grinstead IV and Edenbridge II. Darren Border (44 not out) and Michael Keeler (34 not out) put on an unbeaten 75 for the tenth wicket as Grinstead posted a total of 181-9 declared. Edenbridge held on for a draw at 89-6 in reply.

Look out for Simon Shreeve in years to come. The 14-year-old struck an impressive 46 not out as Forest Row drew with Cuckfield III in the Mid Sussex League.

Arundel bowler Neil Chitty is putting on his Sunday best. He may not have taken a Sussex Invitation League wicket yet but Chitty was in fine form last Sunday in a friendly as he took 7-6 against Slindon.

It was a good weekend for father and son combinations. Denton's Davy and Martin Milne combined with a 50-run partnership to steer their side to a six-wicket victory over Hove Sports on Sunday, who had earlier made 78 all out with Martin taking 2-13. Saturday had also turned out to be a good day for Davy as he recorded sparkling figures of 5-10 in another six-wicket, this time against Bells Yew Green
Final word this week goes to our Clarendon Spartans corres-pondent who signed off his match report with this piece of prose: "A fascinating match that had everything that typifies English cricket: a beautiful setting, a good, fair game, tuna and cucumber sandwiches, a pub 22 yards from the pavilion, church bells and one side of the pitch out of bounds because of foot and mouth."