TITLE SUCCESS FOR HORSHAM CRICKET CLUB

Horsham Cricket Club enjoyed a remarkable 2025 season, winning both the ECB Premier Division of the Sussex Cricket League and the Premier Division of the BACA Sussex Women’s Cricket League. As the two teams prepare to defend their titles, AAH visited the Cricketfield Road ground to hear about the club’s resurgence…  

Horsham Men’s 1st XI dominated the ECB Premier Division of the Sussex Cricket League in 2025. Blending experience and youth, Horsham went undefeated as they won the title for the first time in 21 years. 

There were fine some individual performances: Matthew De Villiers’ unbeaten 168 from 112 balls against Three Bridges; Will Beer’s century in the final match against local rivals Roffey; Bertie Foreman’s five wicket haul at both Preston Nomads and Bognor Regis; and Ollie Sheen claiming five wickets for only 41 runs against Ifield. However, captain Will Beer emphasised the importance of team spirit over the season. 

He said: ‘We have built a team around younger players who have progressed from our junior teams, and more experienced players who help with their development. Teams are allowed to field one overseas player and last year that was South African Matthew de Villiers. Matt had an exceptional season and is now playing first-class cricket at Joburg Super Kings. However, the whole team was hungry for success and we hit a sweet spot.’ 

Will was born and raised in Horsham and would often watch his dad Andrew Beer and uncle Robin play for the 1st XI. Will inherited their passion for the game, playing for Horsham’s junior teams before joining the Academy at Sussex County Cricket Club at 13. The leg break bowler (a wrist-spin technique) went on to represent the County for 15 years from 2008, playing every game as the Sussex Sharks won the 2009 Twenty20 Cup, taking two wickets in the final at Edgbaston. However, even during his professional career, he would regularly turn out for his home club at the weekend.

Will said: ‘Cricket is one of the few sports where amateurs will face professional players. There are still several Sussex players who occasionally play for Horsham, including Tom Clark and Tom Haines, will Jofra Archer was in the side only a few years ago. Imagine coming to Horsham as a  visiting batsman, expecting a nice day out, and facing an England fast bowler!’

‘However, we’ve been gradually shifting the club’s ethos. In 2019, Horsham were relegated to Division 2, which was a wake-up call. The club had perhaps been relying on returning professionals to win the odd game to keep it in the Premier Division, rather than focusing on its youth programme. The club’s culture was split between the 1st XI and everyone else. It needed a reset and under the guidance of Chairman Chris Nash, we have achieved that. Some of the 1st XI coaches and players help train the juniors, while we provide young players with more opportunities in senior cricket. This is clearly paying dividends, with both the men and the women winning the Premier Division.’

EMERGING TALENTS

Horsham’s talented juniors include 14-year-olds Bertie Messenger and Ben Nash. Bertie joined Horsham as an eight-year-old and his versatility as a right-handed batsman and leg spin bowler makes him one to watch. He made his debut for the 1st XI in the final game of last season at Haywards Heath. Although a dominant display by Horsham’s opening batsmen meant that Bertie didn’t need to put his pads on, he did excel with the ball in hand.

He said: ‘I bowled an over against the tail-enders and took two wickets in two balls. It was a lot different to Under-14s cricket – they throw the ball a lot faster and hit it much harder! But it was fun and hopefully I can have more opportunities in the men’s teams and maybe the 1st XI this season.’

Ben’s dad Mark and uncle Chris both played in the outstanding Horsham team that won two Premier League titles in the early 2000s and – famously – the Cockspur Cup (ECB National Club Championship) at Lord’s in 2005. Now, he hopes to follow in their footsteps.

Ben, a batsman and wicket-keeper, said: ‘My dad stopped playing competitively quite a long time ago, but I often came down to Horsham to support my uncle, Chris. I enjoy playing for the Under-14s and last season, we had some strong results, finishing runners-up in the Sussex Junior Cricket Festival. I played for the 3rd XI a few times and hope this season to play in the 2nd XI. If I play well. If I perform well, hopefully I’ll get a chance in the 1st XI, as it would be good to play alongside my uncle.’

SUPPORTIVE CLUB

The success of the men’s team was mirrored by the Women’s 1st XI in 2025. The BACA Sussex Women’s Cricket League launched with five teams in 2023, with Horsham becoming inaugural champions. Teams play a mix of T20 (a fast-paced format where teams bowl 20 overs) and Limited Over (40 Overs) matches. Having narrowly missed out on the title in 2024, Horsham dominated last season and they too thrived with a combination of youth and experience. 

Izi Noakes, who recently took over the captaincy from Hannah Phelps, said: ‘We were disappointed to lose out to Hailsham by a couple of points in 2024, so it was great to come back strongly last season, especially with the Men’s 1st XI also being crowned champions. This season, we have entered a new national competition, the ECB Women’s Club Cup T20, and aim to do well in that, while also aiming for back-to-back championships. It will be a rebuilding year, as some experienced players who have served the club well make way for young talent; but I believe we have the strength in depth to manage that.

‘I live in Shoreham but have played for Horsham since I was 14, as it has a beautiful ground and provides good support for women’s and girls’ cricket. Girls progress through Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15 age categories before feeding into the 1st and 2nd XI. Although I played for England at Under-19 level, I was born too early to have a chance of playing professionally. However, it’s wonderful that girls now have more opportunities as the women’s game grows. A few of our Horsham girls are showing great potential and hopefully they can progress and play at the highest levels.’

TALENT PATHWAY

When the BACA Sussex Women’s Cricket League was first formed with the support of Sir Ron Aldridge, there were only two Divisions – the Premier and Division 2. In just three years, Division 2 has expanded into three separate leagues, with Horsham 2nd XI playing in Central Division alongside Weald Willows (who play at Thakeham) and with Wisborough Green in the West Division. The gradual expansion is a sign that the women’s game is still attracting new players, says Tess Walder, Women’s Cricket Manager at Horsham.

‘When I was growing up, I didn’t have opportunities to play cricket or football, so hockey was my game. I became involved at Horsham when my daughter showed an interest in cricket and joined the Under-13s. I offered to help with training and still love being involved 17 years later! When I first joined, the club had one women’s team and lacked the numbers to form teams in different junior age groups. That has all changed, thanks to greater exposure of women’s cricket and strong support from the governing body. 

‘Now, we have many girls at Under-11s, where they learn the fundamentals of bowling, batting, catching and throwing. Many continue through the age groups and progress into the women’s teams. Although the league structure many lack the depth of the men’s – where the Sussex League has 12 Divisions – it is still expanding and I expect a Division 3 to be introduced in the coming years. 

‘There is a clear talent pathway too and some of our girls regularly play for Sussex. Georgia Adams, daughter of former England cricketer Chris Adams, started her cricketing journey with Horsham and has since starred for Sussex and Hampshire, and been selected for England T20 Internationals. She came back to the club for our awards night, which was fantastic for our young players, as she’s an example of what can be achieved.’ 

FESTIVAL RETURN?

Overseeing the club’s current success is Chairman and Club President Chris Nash, who works closely with other committee members including brother Mark (Senior Cricket Development Officer) and Dave Messenger (Junior Development Officer). 

Chris is another former County player born locally, attending Heron Way, Tanbridge and Collyer’s before his first-class career began at Loughborough MCC University. Initially a bowler, he later specialised as a batsman, often opening for Sussex, where he twice won the County Championship. After 15 years at Sussex, he spent three years at Nottinghamshire, before returning to Horsham, where he now helps on and off the field. 

Chris said: ‘At this stage of my career, I’m content to play a peripheral role, rather than ask a younger player to give up his day when there’s a strong likelihood of them having little involvement. It’s better for their development to play for the 2nds or 3rds, where they will have more opportunities to shine.

‘However, it was lovely to be involved in last year’s success. Will has done a great job as captain, especially with the young players coming through. When I was growing up, Dr John Dew was Club President. For Dr Dew, it was so important that junior cricketers had opportunities to progress. Somewhere along the way, we lost that ethos. Now, we have a thriving junior section once again, with hundreds of girls and boys attending training and matches every week. It’s vital that we support them, and nurture their development, so that everyone feels part of the same club.’

If the good times have returned to Horsham Cricket Club, then perhaps there is hope for the return of the Horsham Festival of Cricket. Cricketfield Road last hosted a County Championship match, as well as a one-day cup match featuring Sussex Sharks, in 2015. More recently, a wonderful Caribbean Day – which sees a Horsham XI taking on a Barbados XI – has helped to soften the loss. The seating area outside the pavilion ensures the club arguably boasts the best outdoor drinking spot in Horsham, providing the day with a real party atmosphere. However, there is real hope that the Festival could return too…

Chris said: ‘We have not welcomed Sussex 1st XI for over 10 years and hosting the Festival was one of my goals when I took over as Chairman. A few years ago, our facilities were not up to County standard, but our grounds team have done a remarkable job and the pitch looks superb. 

‘We have worked hard to attract Sussex 2nd XI and they will be playing over 20 matches at Horsham this season. As a club, we have a great history with Sussex, having produced many County players over the years, and we are strengthening that relationship once again. There are financial hurdles that need to overcome before we can bring back the Festival, but my dream is to bring back first-class cricket, with the ultimate goal of hosting a 50-over Rothesay County Championship match in 2027.’

Further information: Horsham Men’s 1st XI’s league campaign begins on 9 May at Preston Nomads, with the first home match against Cuckfield on 16 May. The Women’s XI are at Hailsham on 3 May, with the first home tie scheduled for 17 May, against Burgess Hill. www.horshamsportsclub.com/sports/cricket/

Originally published on 1 May 2026. Photos: Alan Wright Photography; Words: Ben Morris