Sharks and Seagulls falter

Yesterday I went to Hove for the semi final of the Royal London Cup between Sussex Sharks and Lancashire Lightning.

Lancashire won the toss and surprisingly elected to bat.

It seemed a strange decision as there is moisture in the air off the sea at Hove in the morning which favours the bowling side.

At 67-5 Lancashire may have rued their decision and I was wondering whether I could accept Alan Tanner’s invitation and make it to Craven Cottage for Fulham v Brighton.

Then Lancashire rallied – Dane Vilas scoring 121 – and his side posted a total of 321.

In reply the Sharks never really got going after Ally Orr, Tom Alsop and Tom Haines set up an opening platform.

We fell 65 runs short and Lancashire will play Kent Spitfires in the final at Trent Bridge on September 17th.

This is the one competition in which a Sussex young side had fared well … up to yesterday.

Still, where better to be on a warm day in the company of the Players Club, chilled rose and Harvey’s ale?

It did mean that I was back in Chateau Conway in time for Fulham v Brighton on BT Sport.

After a dreadful first half which the BT presenter Glenn Murray and Peter Crouch could only dress up as “tactically interesting”, the game came to life with goals from Alex Mitrovic and Lewis Dunk (own goal).

Brighton pulled one back from a penalty converted by Alex Mac Alister but Fulham hung on for their win.

I will let Alan comment on the game but – speaking afterwards, as we do – we agreed that the difference between our teams is that Fulham have a striker who can and does score, whilst Graham Potter had to rest Danny Welbeck and play Leandro Trossard as a false 9. At best this tactic might produce a draw.

Alan Tanner was fearful Fulham would sustain another relegation but, with 8 points after a difficult start, such fears are proving groundless .