26/05/2026
It was a big league win on Saturday and a friendly loss on Sunday for Manor’s first double game weekend in over 20 years. Settle down in your favourite chair, as two match report novels are coming up…
Manor arrived at a sun-drenched Clymping to take on the early season table-toppers. After being put in to bat, Manor suffered early setbacks, losing Murray and Skip Radford quickly. However, Nick Brown anchored one end with a determined 34 off 83 balls, while Jamie Funnell unleashed his trademark aggressive batting, propelling the partnership to 86 runs. Brown’s 34 would prove an important omen for the match.
Rick Kelly, usually known for his brisk scoring, played an unusually composed innings, contributing 25 in a 56-run stand—his only fireworks being a towering six launched into the trees at mid-wicket. As Jamie Funnell approached his century, wickets and at times, tempers, began to crumble in the heat. A miscommunication on the third ball of the final over left Jamie stranded at the non-striker’s end, heartbreakingly denying him a well-earned hundred. Still, his unbeaten 99, featuring 13 boundaries and a six, was a standout club achievement. Manor finished on 205 for 8, a remarkable transformation after being 63 for 2 at the 20-over mark, having blasted 142 runs in the final 20 overs.
Clymping’s reputation rested on two formidable batters, but Tinu Sameja made short work of their top order with a fierce Manor-best spell of 4 overs, 2 maidens, 17 runs, and 5 wickets—including three bowled. At the other end, Tareq Ahmed continued his impressive start for the club, claiming 2 wickets for just 9 runs in 4 overs, as Clymping crumbled to 26 for 7. The final three wickets fell to Steve Luckhurst, whose 1.4 overs yielded 3 wickets for 4 runs, thanks to sharp catches from Ahmed, Kelly, and Curran. The hosts were bowled out for a mere 34—eerily matching Brown’s earlier score—in just 11.4 overs, surely one of the swiftest innings on record.
The emphatic 171-run victory entered the record books as Manor’s seventh-largest win by runs. Looking ahead, Manor will host second-placed Pagham 3rds next week while sitting third in the table. The day was further marked by Brown surpassing 2,500 First XI career runs and Chris Salt notching up his 150th club catch, capping off a memorable outing for the team.
MOM, Jaimie.
On Sunday, Manor fielded a spirited IX—yes, just nine players—at the picturesque Chailey ground, marking the first Saturday/Sunday double-header since August 2004, excluding overseas tours. Acting skipper Steve Luckhurst lost the toss in scorching 80-degree heat, much to the team's disappointment, and a 70-over match commenced, with the first innings capped at 37 overs.
From the opening ball, which was hammered through the covers for four, it was apparent Manor lacked some bowling firepower. Nevertheless, their enthusiasm, determination, and unmistakable Sunday cricket spirit shone through, rekindling fond memories for those who recalled the old days. The top three batters retired after reaching fifty, so the first wicket didn't fall until the scoreboard read 177 in just 24 overs, and a total of 250 seemed within reach. Luckhurst claimed a wicket thanks to a sprawling catch by Brown behind the stumps. Seven bowlers rotated through the attack, and six substitute fielders were strategically positioned at long-off at both ends. Despite several dropped catches, the team persevered. Amar Reddy , Dave Price (making his bowling debut for Manor), Yas, and Dipen Patel pitched in, with Dipen bravely completing the only five-over spell in the intense heat (skip giving every bowler 4 max in each spell). Amar also produced a run-out by deflecting a ball off his own bowling. With six of the nine players over 50 years old, everyone was simply thrilled to be part of the action. Their opponents declared after 31 overs, although Skip requested one more so that Liz could become the first woman to bowl away for the 1st XI. The innings concluded at 209 for 2.
After a lengthy, much-needed tea break to cool down, Manor's openers Patel and Luckhurst forged a partnership of 43 in 11 overs, capitalizing on loose deliveries on a wicket that suddenly seemed far more challenging. Dipen contributed 17 before edging to slip off Chailey’s lively 17-year-old bowler Suvir, who also bowled Luckhurst for 24, featuring five boundaries. Brown was adjudged LBW for 9, and Yas met a similar fate for 7. Next up, Roberts joined Amar at the crease. Amar immediately made an impact, launching a six to get off the mark and continuing to thrill, racking up 43 runs in 43 minutes with four sixes and four fours. Among his highlights were a one-handed swipe over square leg and two seemingly impossible sixes over extra cover. Amar was bowled at 122 for 5, just shy of a well-deserved fifty. Roberts played a solid innings, including two glorious fours through long on, but ultimately departed for 21, having put on 51 with Amar in just six overs.
The ‘short’ tail end—batters seven, eight, and nine—delivered a memorable finish. Liz recorded a career-best 6 not out, including her very first boundary after 30 matches and 13 innings for Manor. The crowd erupted as the ball crept over the boundary. Dave Price and Mike Fielder both celebrated their maiden runs for the club, and the team finished with a commendable 139 all out/for 8, an impressive feat. Amar earned Player of the Match honours for his dynamic batting, sharp bowling, and energetic fielding. Well played, Manor! This enjoyable outing hopefully signals the return of more Sunday fixtures in the future.
