Bognor beaten as Steyning stun 'em

Bognor suffered their second loss of the season to Steyning unable to reach their impressive total.

The Steyning batsmen were thankful to see sunshine as Bognor captain Elliot Clarke elected to bowl first.

Bognor claimed early scalps thanks to young Australian Sam Taylor (2-40) removing Steyning’s No1 and No3 in an aggressive opening spell.

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Bognor’s bowlers could not back up Taylor’s opening spell as Steyning opener Lee Mottershead punished the bowling, working over-pitched deliveries to the boundary.

Steyning’s fourth-wicket partnership of 49 tipped the balance Steyning’s direction. Captain Clarke turned to spin but Mottershead continued his attacking strokeplay. Eventually he fell victim to some tight bowling from Jim Lee (1-24) and was caught behind for 78.

Bognor could not grab another as Steyning’s fifth-wicket pair put on 107. David Kennet (68) and Gary Hunt (48*) continued to punish Bognor’s attack.

Steyning declared on 263 for five with Matheesha Ranasinghe smashing 35 not out off only nine balls.

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Steyning’s bowling attack looked in good shape with the new ball, fronted by overseas quick Ranasinghe (2-32).

The opening bowler claimed the first two wickets in quick succession, putting Bognor on the back foot straight away at 27 for two.

Max Ashmore and Oli Handson stabilised the innings against some aggressive accurate bowling. Handson (33) looked in good touch but fell victim to Luke Chapman’s medium pace, leaving Bognor 79 for three.

Ashmore worked the loose deliveries and defended the dangerous ones, but the loss of quick wickets at the other end meant runs were required immediately.

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Chapman (3-50) claimed Ashmore for 46 and despite big hitting from Graham Bush (23 off 13 balls) Bognor’s tale could not wag as Tim Humphries (3-35) cleaned up the lower order. Bognor were all out for 162.

They look to get back to winning ways this week against Slinfold.

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