Three Bridges were thrashed by 193 runs by a pro-filled Brighton & Hove on Saturday.
Brighton won the toss and decided to make first use of the batting track, which looked good but Brighton were soon in trouble, with Vic Davies trapping Chris Grammer plumb LBW for nought in the first over.
Sussex pro’ Chris Liddle, more known for his left arm bowling rather than his batting, opened with the mindset of trying to hit everyone out of the attack, which he succeeded in doing, launching huge sixes off Davies and young spinner Mike Rose, and he and Jarvis took the score to 118 off 20 overs before Davies managed to sneak through the defence of Jarvis for 44.
Another Sussex pro’ Michael Rippon joined Liddle and the pair of them launched another barrage of big shots, Liddell cruising past his 100 and Rippon past 50, and it looked like Bridges would be chasing a massive total.
Rippon eventually holed out off skipper Danny Alderman for 73 with the score on 241.
Atherton then played a superb cameo, scoring a quick fire 48 whilst Liddell continued to score freely, but he too succumbed to Alderman, deceived by a slower ball to be bowled for an excellent 125. Brighton eventually declared on 308-7 off 52 overs, Alderman the pick of the bowlers with 3-44.
Bridges were always going to struggle to reach the massive target unless they could get off to a good start, something that had been missing in recent weeks.
And so it proved again, Chadburn being bowled by Matt Wood for 5.
Brad Gayler and Josh Price batted sensibly but without scoring too freely against some good bowling, Price eventually fell to a cut shot, well caught by Atherton for 19.
Gayler and Conor Golding then held firm, playing carefully to drinks with the score on 78-2. At this point Bridges tried to up the rate slightly to try and get after the huge total, but when Gayler went for a well made 37 and Davies for 1, Bridges were 85-4 and looking to close out for the draw.
Sadly, Bridges’ batting frailties were exploited once again as they capitulated to 114 all out, Golding remained undefeated on 22 with Alderman the only other batsman making double figures with 11, Matt Wood taking 6-46 and Rippon 3-28.
Bridges took six points from the game but unless their batting improves soon it is going to be a long hard slog for them this season.