Cricket: Super Selsey are promoted

Here are the latest reports from our local Invitation League teams.

Three Bridges v Selsey

Invitation League division three

Selsey travelled to Three Bridges on a steaming hot day and secured promotion with a convincing nine-wicket victory.

Selsey captain Nic Nolan was asked to bowl first and soon had Bridges on the ropes with Josh Stocks taking two wickets in the first over.

Only Brodie Chalcraft with a well-made 43 showed any resilience as Selsey tore through the remaining order aided by some outstanding catching, with Bridges dismissed for just 92.

Stocks (3/20), Tom Amis (3/36), Pete Horner (2/19) and Tom Cripps (2/5) were the wicket-takers.

In reply Selsey didn’t hang around as Tim Fewster play nicely for a quick 28. Andy Horner finished 25 not out with his usual steady innings and it was left to Karl Walton (27no) to finish the game with a huge six to round off a successful promotion push.

With two games remaining Selsey can now push for the title.

West Wittering v Brighton & Hove

Division three

After losing the toss, Brighton and Hove built an innings of 161, Anthony Statham improvising a top score of 44 not out on a firm, unpredictable wicket.

James White made the most of the dusty track taking four wickets for 23. Harry Staight (2-32), Matt Jewiss (3-30) and Richard Hammond (1-28) all contributed with the ball and Wittering fielded excellently.

Unfortunately West Wittering struggled with the pace and bounce of Harry Middlebrook and were bowled out for a measley 86, Carl Tupper top scoring with 16.

With two games to go, promotion is still not out of reach, but Wittering are relying a bit too much on everyone else’s results.

Aldwick v Eastergate

Division two

Aldwick entered this important promotion decider without skipper Joel Lodge, who has recently emigrated, and without all-rounder Keelan Belcher, injured in football training during the week.

Eastergate were too strong for the home side hopefuls and won by six wickets which saw Aldwick plummet from second place to fourth and scuppered any real chance of joining the elite in division one next year.

Batting first, as expected Louis Paul (67) held the innings together as wickets fell at regular intervals other end. Late on, Josh Sargeant (45*) make a valuable contribution and Ryan Purvis (26) weighted in with a typical quickfire knock. Two apiece for Peter Smith (2-29) and Jamie Murphy (2-65) helped to restrict the home side to 195 for eight from their 49 overs.

Adam Robinson (2-49) clean-bowled Eastergate opener Josh Cole for a duck but his opening partner Jack Stannard held on for 48 and after Cole fell he was joined by Nick Smith (93), who took the game out of Aldwick’s reach with the innings of the day.

The home side’s bowlers toiled without luck and the inevitable defeat was cemented by Chris Brittain’s late flourish of an undefeated 34.

Eastergate can still earn promotion but Aldwick must be content with third or fourth place if they can lick wounds and bounce back against almost-certain champions Crawley Down this week.

Brighton & Hove 4th v Aldwick 2nd

Division six

Weakened Aldwick travelled to Brighton & Hove and unexpectedly returned home with 30 valuable points which consolidates third place and with just two games to go, promotion is still a realistic possibility.

Consistent bowling from the Aldwick line-up of Harry Rosser (2-38), Ben Bainbridge (3-48), Tom Hoare (2-31) and Liam Hicks (2-42) restricted the home side to 195 all out. Hicks took his 25th outfield catch in this game.

Opener Leo Towers top scored with 68 and was well supported with worthy knocks from Tyler Hounsome (30), Nick Collier (30) and Tom Finch (21).

Consistent batting from openers Arthur Bradbury (34) and Charlie Barnett (34), closely followed by 25 from Will Pegg, 22 from Harry Rosser, and an unbeaten 38 from Tom Hare, saw the visitors home in the 38th over by four wickets.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking sports news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be among the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make this website your homepage

2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex

3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!