Geffen takes league's fifth best bowling figures of all-time

Stunning figures of nine for 33 from Matt Geffen helped Chichester Priory Park to a win - while Stirlands were frustrated by the weather.
Matt Geffen took nine for 33 / Picture by Steve RobardsMatt Geffen took nine for 33 / Picture by Steve Robards
Matt Geffen took nine for 33 / Picture by Steve Robards

Here are the latest reports from our local sides in divisions three and four of the Sussex League.

Goring v Chichester PP

Sussex League division three

Matt Geffen produced an amazing career-best spell of nine for 33 at Goring - the fifth best individual bowling performance in Sussex Premier League cricket.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 25-year old came on as first-change bowler and clean-bowled seven Goring batsmen and had two others caught as the visitors plummeted from 60 for one to 106 all out.

Chichester polished off the target for the loss of three wickets, with Jamie Hopkins making 39 not out after suffering a badly-bruised toe.

Given the damp and overcast conditions, it was no surprise Chichester captain Johnny Heaven asked the hosts to bat first.

Goring’s top order made a steady start – until seam bowler Geffen was brough into the attack.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He took a wicket with his first ball, dismissing Sam Thorns for just five, and then rattled off a series of overs that were nearly unplayable.

Goring’s Dan Pittham (30) was the first to fall in a mesmerising spell of fast bowling as the host tumbled to 91 for eight. Geffen had taken all eight wickets but the dream of taking all ten ended when Rob Carver dismissed Matt Dumigan, who lobbed up a catch to Peter Lamb.

Geffen had the last laugh, taking the final wicket as Goring were bowled out for 106. It is thought Geffen’s figures could be a CPP record.

The restart was delayed and the tricky conditions had the visitors in trouble as two quick wickets reduced Chichester to seven for two.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lamb should’ve been out next ball, an unfortunate slip by a Goring fielder on a greasy surface saving the batsman from being caught.

Making the most of his let off, Lamb took the attack to increasingly demoralised home bowlers on his way to a score of 31.

His dismissal brought George Perry to the crease. The wicketkeeper settled nerves with a run-a-ball 23, although he too was dismissed within sight of the finish line.

Opener Hopkins’ watchful batting style was perfectly suited to the conditions and his steady 39 not out saw the visitors home.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A six-wicket victory was the first of the season and on a day when many games were called off, the maximum 30 points could be vital come the end of the season.

Chichester entertain Findon this Saturday.

Henfield v Stirlands

Sussex League division four

Stirlands and their hosts were beaten by the weather.

With rain forecast, having won the toss, Stirlands captain George Coles, had no hesitation in batting first to use the best of the poor conditions.

But Henfield started the stronger of the two sides and stand-in opener Torquil Deacon received a steeply rising delivery from one of the opening bowlers, Will Culver, which he couldn’t avoid gloving behind.

This brought Coles to the crease and he and Will Gubbins picked up where they left off the previous week, rotating the strike with consummate ease while putting away the bad balls in the persistent drizzle.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Having put on 100 together, Coles made a rare error of judgement; mis-reading a short ball from Zimbabwean overseas bowler Brighton Mugochi to be bowled for a well-put-together 42.

Young George Briance was next to brave the depressing conditions. He was able to display a maturity beyond his tender years, working well with Gubbins to rotate the strike as Henfield’s spinners attempted to turn the screw.

With the score on 156 for two a head-high delivery, caused by the ball resembling a bar of soap, forced the umpires to take the players off.

Frustration ensued for nearly two hours as the players and officials waited for a break in the weather. It never came and the captains shook hands and claimed ten points each.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Stirlands host Hellingly this Saturday and will look to build on strong batting performances shown so far this season.

Get your Chichester Observer newspaper for just 38p per week for a year!

Your Chichester Observer newspaper costs £1.05 each week - BUT if you buy a year’s subscription before June 4, 2016, you can enjoy a massive saving which works out at just 38p an edition.

Subscribe and read your favourite weekly, the Chichester, or Bognor Regis, or Midhurst & Petworth Observer, for 12 months for a one off advance payment of £19.76 - that works out at just 38p a copy for an entire year!

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And as a valued subscriber you’ll continue to receive a 20% discount even after the initial 12 month offer has ended.

Once you’ve subscribed we’ll send you dated coupons to use instead of cash when paying for your Observer.

To take advantage of this fantastic offer simply click here and enter the offer code - 277PA-CCO.

Terms & Conditions: Offer valid to new customers only when paying by a one off direct debit charge of £19.76. Minimum 12 months subscription. Offer ends Saturday 4th June 2016. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.