Fab Fernandez sees Pagham home too ... Bognor boosted too

Pagham v Arundel

Sussex division three west

After four games without tasting victory, Pagham knew a win against bottom-placed Arundel was a must.

Arundel were inserted on a good batting track but could not develop partnerships of any substance.

Michael Hales (2-39) was a constant threat throughout his 13 overs and Sam Dickens (2-11) could easily have had more wickets in addition to the two that broke the middle-order spine.

Wayne Green showed good bouncebackability to scoop three for 23, finishing off Arundel’s lower order. Arundel made 172, Lloyd Rowlatt (40) the only batsman to get going.

In reply, Pagham demoted their overseas batsman to No4, but Arundel would have thought the overseas batsman was at No3 - such was the pure strokeplay of Joe Metz (70 from 63 balls), who took the home team more than halfway to victory.

Pagham would have had jitters at four for one, but a 105-run stand with a calm Stuart Rutter (52* from 115), bravely batting after an unfortunate fielding encounter with a sightscreen, calmed the nerves.

Jamaul Fernandez (44* from 30) wasted no time in knocking off the required runs with 16 overs left. The result promotes Pagham to third and aids their promotion hopes.

* Pagham 2nd XI’s winning streak came to an end at Arundel. Chasing 224 for six despite the efforts of paceman Peter Cotterill (4-45), Pagham were 141 for one thanks to Jake Stockdale (78) and Dave Fuente (50) before being all out for 219, losing with two balls remaining.

Bognor v Steyning

Sussex League division three west

After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Bognor soon made inroads into the Steyning line-up.

Led by Aussie all-rounder Sam Taylor, who took a fine four for 34 on his bowling return, Bognor never allowed Steyning to get going.

With fine support from all the Bognor bowlers, Steyning were bowled out for 175, with Bognor’s Josh Broad also finishing with three for 24.

Bognor’s innings began well with a fine 99-run partnership between Mikey Harris (37) and the indomitable Taylor (81) and were well placed at 118 for two.

After a brief wobble with Steyning veteran Andy Isaacs taking three for 54, Bognor finished off the run chase winning by six wickets.

Bognor 2nd XI v Steyning 2nd XI

Steyning inserted Bognor and at 86 for one, Bognor were well set. Unfortunately a collapse to 118 for six saw Steyning take the advantage.

Veteran captain Phil Harris tickled the ball around for a finely-paced 42 while Mark Hood wrestled the game back Bognor’s way with 52 off 54 balls in a 84-run partnership, Bognor finishing on 216 for seven.

Steyning’s reply was steady and fine knocks for Jamie Carter (66) and Collins (54no) saw Steyning take an eight-wicket win.