Bognor's perfect start to cricket season thanks to magic Max

They lost the toss and were asked to bat, and new opening duo Max Ashmore and Luke Seward started the innings solidly, passing 50 without losing a wicket.

Seward looked in good touch until he holed out at mid-off for 37 off the bowling of Dan Rive (2-64). 

Rob Willway joined Ashmore and both began to push on. 

The young pair passed their 100 partnership and Ashmore passed 100 with confident shots down the ground. Willway showed his class until he was bowled on 97 by Rive.

Michael Spaseski (15*) struck two sixes to cap an impressive display. The second-wicket partnership of 206 between Willway (97) and Ashmore (109*) left Bognor able to declare on 282 for two from 51 overs.

Littlehampton were up against it from the start and Jim Lee was in no mood to show mercy, bowling with pace and purpose to claim four for 35 from 13 overs.

Lee’s opening spell caused havoc for Littlehampton as they slumped to 43 for three. Only Sajid Khan showed resilience, until he was clean bowled by a yorker from young Charlie La Foret (1-12).

This started a collapse as Spaseski (2-9) bowled with pace and aggression and Oli Handson claimed the enviable figures of one for nought from five overs.

James Kliber (1-13) chipped in on debut with his first wicket for the club, so Bognor start in convincing fashion by claiming the 30 points and going top of the early-season table.  

Littlehampton II v Bognor Regis II

Second XI div three west

Littlehampton elected to bat at the Sportsfield. Fifties from Geoffrey Cole (53) and Chris Heberlein (79) pushed them on but Rich Cox (6-42) and Andy McGregor (3-34) saw Littlehampton all out for 200.

Bognor replied steadily with new skipper Ricky McIntosh scoring 57. Keeper Ryan Maskell, who is just 13, made 31 on debut but Hugh Milner (2-31) kept Littlehampton in the hunt.

Darren Coombes (32), Liam Geoghegan (32 not out) and Rich Cox (37 not out) saw Bognor home.