West Sussex Invitation League: Eastergate, Aldwick and Selsey all slip up

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Littlehampton v Eastergate

Eastergate suffered their first league defeat of the season.

After winning the toss, Eastergate skipper Jack Stannard had no hesitation batting first on what looked a really good track.

After losing opening partner Josh Cole in the second over, skipper Stannard and youngster Nick Smith relished the batsman-friendly conditions and scored at a good rate.

The two put on 177 for the second wicket with Smith the main aggressor. Smith smashed his way to his hundred before the partnership was broken as Stannard fell for 71 off the bowling of Chris Heberlein.

The same bowler ended Smith’s innings as he fell for 112 to leave the score at 193-3.

Eastergate’s next few wickets fell in quick succession with the batsman trying to score quickly. Nathan Green (24) and Dan Jadzevics (31no) came together and put on 52 for the seventh wicket.

Littlehampton regularly took wickets with Eastergate still trying to force the runs. Eastergate finished on 265-9 off 49 overs. Nathan Perry took 5-55 for the hosts.

Tom Stannard opened the bowling and removed Thomas Lee without scoring and Eastergate had the start they were looking for.

This brought youngster Jack Turner to the crease who, with the dangerous James Askew, kept the score moving at a decent rate.

Tom Stannard removed last season’s top run-scorer in division one, Askew, caught at mid-off by older brother Jack Stannard.

This brought Littlehampton’s matchwinner to the crease. Ally James batted with aggression and concentration despite wickets falling around him.

Jack Turner fell for 51 and Louis Paul was lbw to Nick Smith and Littlehampton were 195-4.

Still needing seven an over, James kept finding the boundary. More wickets fell to the bowling of Nick smith and Jack Bateman but the home side got over the winning line in the last over with James finishing on 126 not out. Littlehampton won by two wickets.

Eastergate walked away with 14 points which keeps them mid-table. Skipper Jack Stannard was disappointed with the first loss but pleased with the performance – it showed how far the team have come in the past few years.

Eastergate are at home to Felbridge and Sunnyside this Saturday.

Aldwick v Chippingdale

Division two

Despite a wobble from their top-order batsmen, table-toppers Chippingdale recovery well and showed their class with an emphatic bowling performance that resulted in a victory over Aldwick by 101 runs.

Chippingdale were looking worried at 115-6 and must have wondered were the runs would come from. However, help was at hand from No6 Aaron Tugnott who made 75 to push his team’s final total to a respectable 203 all out in the 46th over.

Opener Josh Bourne (35) was the only other top-order batsmen to make runs besides Tugnott, until he was outwitted by John Young (1-21).

Top-drawer bowling performances from the Robinson brothers, first Adam ( 3-42) and then Adam (5-56) kept the match within the home side’s grasp.

Alas, the batting performance required from Aldwick did not materialise and they were back in the pavilion reflecting on a heavy defeat after just 28.1 overs.

Only Adam Robinson (41) and Josh Sargeant (29) reached double figures in a feeble effort.

Chippingdale used five bowlers and all of them were rewarded with wickets, Gary Mockford (3-19) the best of them.

Broadbridge Heath are this Saturday’s opponents.

Selsey v Horsham Trinity

Division two

For the second week on the trot Selsey crashed to a heavy defeat as a below-par batting performance allowed promotion -chasing Horsham Trinity to record a comfortable eight-wicket victory.

Having been put in Selsey crashed to 132 all out, James Amis top-scoring with 35. Tim Street bowled well to claim five wickets with his nagging bowling as Selsey struggled to adapt to a low slow pitch.

In the reply Tom Cripps claimed two wickets but Jack Gold showed how it was done with a very good 74 not out to secure victory.

A free week awaits Selsey but they must improve quickly as tough games against sides at the bottom await.

Pulborough v Aldwick 2nd

Division six

Early in the season, Pulborough’s league presence was reduced to just one team, which has resulted in a strong team playing in division six.

Aldwick’s bowlers found it hard-going against the quality of the home side’s batsmen. Best of the bunch was opener Peter Wood (119*), who carried his bat with an unbeaten century and featured in a 99-run partnership with Tommy Dungar (49).

Lee Callaghan (61) helped take the home side’s total to a massive 279-5 from over 40 overs. Tom Hoare bowled well to take 3-50.

In reply, Aldwick opener Charlie Barnett (49) stood firm and showed resistance. Unfortunately, none of Barnett’s team mates learned from his example and the visitors were rolled over in less than 31 overs for 98.

Liam Hicks (13) was the only other batsmen to reach double figures as the home side’s bowlers wreaked havoc.

The wickets were shared amongst the bowlers.

Bognor 3rd v Littlehampton 4th

Division ten west

At Oaklands Park, Littlehampton won the toss and batted. Bognor’s bowlers took advantage as young Ben Woolnough nipped out John Baker for two, Dan Miller snaffling the chance.

Littlehampton’s Henry Howson batted with patience but three quick run-outs – one a fine stop and throw from Hiren Patel – saw the game turn in Bognor’s favour.

Jon Whitewood scuttled in to grab four for 21 and with a wicket for Babs Ahmed and another for Woolnough (2-19) off the last ball, Littlehampton were bowled out for 108.

Bognor began strongly with Ahmed maintaining his recent good form with the bat, cracking a breezy 43 before Littlehampton’s wily John Baker (2-17) had him caught behind.

Dan Miller followed three balls later to put the game in the balance but Bognor skipper John Hooker (20no) held firm to prevent further alarm.

Steve Jays brought the innings to a close with a brisk 27 not out as Bognor got to their target, winning by seven wickets.

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