Cricket: Glynde youngsters hold key

Glynde's exciting crop of youngsters clinched the club's first championship for 17 years after a maximum points win at Herstmonceux on Saturday and the skipper says there is plenty more to come.

Mepham, who is standing down as captain, said: "We have a lot of good young players and nobody seems to be leaving.

"One or two may have the draw of county league cricket to think about but I think playing in division one of the East Sussex League is better for their development at this stage.

"There is no reason why this side can't go on and dominate the league for the next decade. There are very few other sides with young players coming through."

Whether Glynde remain in East Sussex cricket is another matter, although Mepham confirmed they will not be applying for promotion to the Sussex League.

He said: "We are certainly looking to stay in the East Sussex League and defend our crown. Depending on what the boys do next year we might look beyond that but that would be a committee decision."

Glynde went into Saturday's game needing to stay ahead of second placed Chiddingly.

They soon reduced Herstmonceux to 53-7 with Dale Tranter taking 5-33 but the tail wagged to push the final total along to 122 all out.

The champions elect lost three quick wickets in reply but Dominic Harris (53 not out) and Richard Harding (29) steadied the ship before Adam Davies hit the winning six out of the ground to secure a six-wicket win.

A proud Mepham said: "When I took over five years ago we were bottom of division two and now we are champions of division one. That is very satisfying.

"One of our strengths is we have 11 people who can bat and eight who can bowl as well. We always have options and are never staring down the barrel wondering where runs or wickets are coming from.

"The other thing is consistency of selection. We have only really used 12 players all year with two others having played one game each. Most sides are unable to do that."