Weather is the only winner (apart from Stirlands)

Stirlands enjoyed a win in divisiob four but Pagham had another batting day to forget in division two.

Here are the reports...

Pagham v Lindfield

Division 2

Pagham Cricket Club’s Division 2 woes continued as they failed to chase down 85 in a rain-interrupted encounter with Lindfield on Saturday.

After sticking Lindfield in and skittling them out for 84, Pagham looked on course to collect their first win of the season at the ninth time of asking.

However, that wasn’t to be the case as more batting troubles surfaced in their chase as they were bundled out for just 43 in 17.3 overs.

Yet another defeat in Division 2 leaves them well adrift. Pagham now trail second-from-bottom Guernsey Sarnians by 40 points, while they are a further six points off Crawley Eagles and safety.

In difficult batting conditions, Pagham skipper Stuart Rutter wasted no time in asking Lindfield to bat first.

Peter Cotterill bowled opener Jack Sadler for four as Pagham made an early breakthrough.

Simon Shivnarain top-scored for Lindfield with 22, while Geoffrey Lawrence and Alex Borley both made 11 but that was as good as it got for the travelling side.

But wickets fell at regular intervals with seamer Michael Hales causing the vast majority of problems for Lindfield.

Hales ended with impressive figures of 5-42, while opening partner Cotterill took two wickets as Lindfield were dismissed for 84 from 41.5 overs.

Pagham would have fancied their chances at the interval but as opener Billy Turner-Hogg was their only batter to reach double figures with 15, a first win was never going to follow.

Their final wicket fell with the score on 43 as Lindfield eased to a comprehensive 41-run win in the end.

Pagham travel to third-from-bottom Crawley Eagles in the league on Saturday.

Middleton v Crawley Eagles

Division 2

Leaders Middleton Cricket Club were left looking over their shoulders after their Division 2 encounter was abandoned with just 19 overs bowled on Saturday.

After being asked to bowl first, Eagles made a bright start despite some tricky batting conditions to reach 75 for two with 19 overs gone.

However, a heavy downpour put pay to any more action with both sides force to settle for ten points as the game fell victim to poor weather.

That no result, coupled with Eastbourne’s four-wicket win over St James’s Montefiore, means they move up to second and close Middleton’s lead to eight points, though, they do have a game in hand.

Three Bridges v Bognor Regis

Division 2

There were frustrations for Bognor Regis Cricket Club as their Division 2 clash at Three Bridges was abandoned after just 10.5 overs.

Bridges had reached 41-3 before the rain came to force a no result.

Bognor’s result, coupled with Eastbourne winning, means they now move down to third in the table. Bognor host table-toppers Middleton on Saturday.

Portslade v Chi Priory park

Division 3

Chichester Priory Park Cricket Club were left to wonder what might have been after their Sussex League Division 3 clash at Portslade was called off on Saturday.

Having made the trip over, Priory Park would have been hopeful to fulfill a reduced overs fixture but that wasn’t to be the case.

Unfortunately for both sides, persistent rainfall put pay to any action taking place on the day with the game abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Priory Park weren’t the only ones left annoyed, though, as just one of five scheduled fixtures were able to be completed in Division 3.

Burgess Hill’s game with Steyning and Crawley’s clash with Haywards Heath went without a ball bowled, while Mayfield’s game at Crowhurst Park was abandoned after the former had reached 247 for two from 48 overs.

The only finished game ended in a draw between Goring and Findon.

Chichester will be hoping for better weather when they host Crawley on Saturday.

Stirlands v Slinfold

Division 4

Stirlands Cricket Club secured just their second Sussex League Division 4 win of the season with a thrilling six-run success over Slinfold on Saturday.

After being stuck in on a difficult wicket to bat on, they managed to post a substantial total of 182 for eight before declaring with 46 overs bowled.

Ajinkya Deshpande top-scored with 47 from as many balls, while Rory Stewart-Richardson struck 21 to help Stirlands to a defendable target.

Akeem Jordan bowled well for his three wickets, with both Daniel Graycon Imran Shah taking two each.

In reply, Sean Overton and Chris Stanbridge both fell for nought before Slinfold steadied the ship.

Opener Ross Dealhoy crashed 40 off just 25 balls, while Ethan Ansell struck 38.

At one point Slinfold found themsleves 114-4 and Jordan’s 43 looked to be guiding his side home.

However, with them well-placed at 159-6, Slinfold’s final four wickets fell for just 17 runs as they fell six runs short in the end.

Desphande followed up his 47 with the bat by ending with figures of 6-73 to fire Stirlands to a second win.