Chichester get cricket season off on the back foot

Batting first, Horsham got off to a promising start courtesy of opener Ben Shoare. On a good batting wicket, he showed fantastic shot selection and poise to guide Horsham to 107 for two in the first 30 overs.

However, a dramatic turn of events from opening bowler and captain Richard Browning put Chichester right back into contention.

Browning claimed an unbelievable four wickets in four balls to get the away team celebrating.

Single-handedly turning Horsham’s innings completely, Browning and off-spinner Ashton Turner gave a ruthless bowling display to leave Horsham 138 for eight.

The hosts recovered as much as could be expected and managed to post a competitive score of 189 all out in the 56th over, with Browning finishing with fantastic figures of six for 37. Australian Ashton Turner took three for 83 on his debut.

With the visitors upbeat at the interval, the match was set up nicely and at 52 for one it was in the balance.

However another collapse ensued as the leg-spinning duo of Will Beer and Michael Munday had the visiting batsman in knots, ending Chichester’s hopes of victory.

In the end the visitors were way off the required total, finishing on 85 all out, opener Mark Bamford the only one to make a significant contribution with 42.

Beer and Munday brough the hosts’ resounding victory, Beer finishing with four for nine while Munday claimed four for 19.

However Chichester can take a lot from the game, with a terrific bowling and fielding performance helping the side claim ten points from a fixture that has not produced too many rewards for the visitors in previous seasons.

Browning’s side will not be too disheartened and will be searching for points to add to the tally this Saturday when they welcome Three Bridges to Priory Park.