Slinfold Rams and Eastbourne Renegades crowned inaugural Sussex Slam champions

Slinfold Rams and Eastbourne Renegades were crowned champions of the inaugural Sussex Slam on Sunday afternoon after a thrilling Finals Day at Horsham.

The Rams conquered Rottingdean Millers by six wickets in the first semi-final, before beating Chiddingly Chinners by eight wickets to win the men's final.

Mo Hussain was the hero for the Rams, and named Newbery Cricket’s Player of the Day, after taking 3-28 against the Millers in the semi-final and 3-22 against the Chinners in the final.

Hussain’s performance earned him a pro level bat courtesy of Newbery, and earned his team a fully bespoke Sharks Cricket kit.

Meanwhile, in the women’s final, Eastbourne Renegades beat the Horsham Lionesses to lift the inaugural Women’s Slam Trophy and also earn complete kit from Sharks Cricket.

The Slam also saw a Softball Cricket League ran over the Summer and West Wittering Wolverines were crowned the champions, with Chichester Lionesses runners-up.

Finals Day was the culmination of an amazing Sussex Slam season in which 252 matches were played in just ten weeks.

After the threat of no cricket at all this summer, the tournament was a real success, and competition manager, Matt Camp said: “I’d like to thank all involved with the teams that took part in the various iterations of The Slam this year.

“Of course, there are far more important things at this time that cricket, but I think our game has played a small part in rallying the spirits of those who cherish it, and all who have contributed should be immensely proud.

“I always expected this first season of The Sussex Slam to be a steep learning curve, and so it’s proven with 252 games played in just ten weeks. I very much look forward to what we can achieve together in 2021.”

Territory manager, Carl Tupper added: “Partnering with The Slam has really given midweek T20 in Sussex a new lease of life, even with the restrictions we’ve faced.

“The Sussex Cricket Foundation’s thanks must be extended to Horsham CC for hosting Finals Day, to all of our umpires and scorers throughout the competition and to the clubs and players for really embracing the spirit of The Sussex Slam.

“Our biggest thanks go to Matt Camp, who managed to develop a reinvented competition and get it going within 48 hours, which is just incredible.

“The addition of the Women’s Slam, both softball and hardball, again within such a tight timeframe, has also been fantastic to see take shape, and is something that we hope we can continue working with The Slam to develop further.”

Teams can sign up for the 2020/21 Sussex Slam HERE.