Bognor cricketers can’t sign off with win

Mikey Harris was in the runs against Crawley / Picture by Kate Shemilt KS1500080-2

Here are the reports from the two clubs’ final games.

Sussex League division three

Champions Bognor changed the batting order and gave those who have not batted regularly a chance to have a go.

After being invited to bat, one man keen to have a go was Elliott Clarke, the burly all-rounder making 40. However, the other Bognor batsmen didn’t quite come to the party and apart from Mikey Harris’ 37, the team didn’t match the heights of the season as they were bowled out for 162.

For the Eagles, Anzum Jafer weighed in with five for 28 and Imran Mehboob three for 31.

The Eagles looked to get the game finished quickly and moved quickly to 44 for no wicket within a few overs.

Harris was introduced and he stopped the advance to grab two for 28 while Mr Dependable Tim Van Noort showed the old boys still have what it takes to grab two for 38.

Unfortunately Bognor didn’t have enough runs to play with and with Rehan Hasan’s 61 forming the cornerstone of the innings, Crawley Eagles ran out winners by five wickets.

The defeat did not dampen the Bognor players’ mood as an excellent season came to a close with the tantalising prospect of division two cricket awaiting them in 2016.

Goring v Chichester Priory Park

Sussex League division three

Chichester Priory Park won by 94 runs to end a solid first season division three on a high note.

Other than pride, neither team had much to play for.

On an overcast day, Goring skipper Barnie Lyons won the toss and asked Chichester to bat first.

Goring removed openers Will Price (9) and Simon Hasted (2) cheaply. Jolyon Dannatt and Sean Dobbs got Chichester moving in the right direction, putting on 127 for the third wicket.

Dobbs played some powerful shots, including one huge six over extra cover. Chichester’s player/coach eventually fell for a run-a-ball 67, chipping an Ollie Watkins delivery to Aaron Wyatt.

Rob Carver continued where Dobbs had left off and struck an entertaining 33 before he was bowled by Sam Botham. Dannatt was dismissed for a patient 68 and Chichester declared on 223 for five.

In keeping with the end-of-season feel, Goring drew their batting order out of a hat. This was good news for Chichester’s Alex Pegg, who removed the hosts’ top three cheaply.

Albie Condron got among the wickets, dismissing Ross Baumann (3) and Ollie Watkins (9) to leaving Goring floundering. Gareth Cook (30) counter-attacked and his innings provided the moment of the match. After Cook hit James Mayne for six, the ball was caught by a very alert spectator on the boundary who was dressed in a winter coat and gloves.

Only Sam Thorns (39no) offered any real resistance to Chichester’s bowlers and the match was summed up by the final wicket to fall.

Chichester’s wicketkeeper John Edwards removed his gloves and pads and proceeded to trap Sam Botham lbw in his only over. Goring were all out for 129, giving Chichester a 94-run victory.

After two consecutive relegations, Chichester will be satisfied with fourth place in division three, accumulating ten victories and 343 points. They were arguably the form team in the second half of the year with eight wins in their final 11 games but they missed promotion by 39 points. There’s a strong core of players now in the first XI so hopes will be high for a promotion charge next year.

Bognor 2nd v Stirlands 2nd

2nd XIs div three west

Sussex League Division 3 (West):

The last league game at the Regis Oval saw both teams looking to cement fourth place in the league.

Stirlands found veteran batsman Mark Woolnough in obdurate form. The suave striker played a fine innings for 79 and lively left-hander Harry Hood made a cheeky 54.

Stirlands fought their way back with George Briance taking six6 for 69 but some late resistance from Charlie La Foret with 27 not out saw Bognor up to 219.

Seamer Rich Cox broke Jon Denby’s club record of 59 wickets in a season when Briance was dismissed for five. However, at 82 for two Stirlands were well set but an all-round team bowling performance comprising Cox (3-46), La Foret, the burly Sam Adams (2-9) and young upstart Tom Woolnough put paid to any victory hope for the visitors.

Club legend Bernie Burns pulled out his frog-in-a-blender off-breaks and took the last wicket – and his first league wicket – to bowl out Stirlands for 121, Bognor winning by 98 runs.

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