Priory through to T20 Cup final

Dave Lowery starred with bat and ball as Hastings Priory beat Three Bridges

Priory will take on local rivals Eastbourne at the BrightonandHovejobs.com County Ground on Sunday August 18 following a six-run win away to Three Bridges yesterday (Sunday).

The visitors suffered an early setback after electing to take first knock with Byron Gould, who played a blistering innings in the quarter-final win over Preston Nomads, falling third ball for six.

But a series of good partnerships thereafter helped Priory post a challenging total of 183-4. Harry Finch followed up his century in the abandoned Sussex Premier League game against Cuckfield on Saturday with 23 off 19 balls in a second wicket stand of 57 with Dave Lowery.

Australian talent Lowery, who has made such an impact during his short time at the club, went on to make 57 off 39 balls with five fours and three sixes, putting on 55 for the third wicket with Adam Maharaj-Newman.

After Maharaj-Newman was fourth man out with the score 148 having contributed a very valuable 39 off 32 balls, the jet-heeled Leo Cammish smashed 34 not out off 19 balls and Freddie Hulbert chipped in with an unbeaten 11 from eight deliveries.

Bridges, who had already lost at home to Priory in the league this season, got off to a cracking start in reply with 21 coming off the first over en route to a first wicket stand of 83.

Josh Poysden made the breakthrough, however, by trapping Conor Golding in front for 33 off 23 balls and the momentum shifted Priory’s way as Lowery bagged three wickets in quick succession to leave Bridges 86-4.

Bradley Gayler was the only batsman after the opening pair to reach double figures, contributing 10 in a fifth wicket stand of 43 until falling to that man Lowery, who finished his four overs with 4-29.

All the time Danny Alderman was at the crease, though, Bridges had a chance. The captain was eventually bowled by Elliot Hooper for 94 off 60 balls to make the score 167-6 and that soon became 169-8 as Hooper claimed two more victims.

Hooper - the only bowler on either side to go for less than a run a ball - finished with 3-19 from his four overs as Bridges wound up on 177-8. Eastbourne, incidentally, beat Cuckfield by seven wickets in the other semi-final.