Gedye takes 7-5 in Battle win

After a poor start to the East Sussex Cricket League Division Two campaign and a dismal defeat to Robertsbridge the previous week, Battle got themselves well and truly up and running by seeing off early relegation candidates Barcombe on Saturday.

Some sharp catches by Barcombe brought a couple of early wickets for Allan Trower (3-37), but the Battle fightback began with a solid looking partnership between Gedye (32) and Kieran Mayhew (24).

Gedye soon ran out Mayhew, however, which prompted several middle order wickets to fall for few runs. But Nick Reid ground out an invaluable 25 not out at less than one an over, and formed key partnerships with Elliott Jeffs (13) and Pete Maynard (11) as Battle posted 166 on a lively wicket.

Matthew Tucker (20) helped Barcombe to 21 without loss in the opening few overs, but once Gedye had Josh Wheatley caught behind off the glove wristband, doubt crept into the batsman’s mind.

With the openers removed, Gedye tore through the middle order as only William Marler (16) offered any real resistance. Gedye’s magical, menacing spell finished with majestic figures of 11-6-5-7.

Jo Carthew (1-35) claimed an expensive late wicket and Jeffs (1-6) a cheap one with a big spinning leg break to finish off the tail as Barcombe were shot out for 77. See Friday’s Battle Observer for a full report.