CRICKET: Littlehampton's seven-wicket loss is fourth successive defeat

LITTLEHAMPTON fell to their fourth successive defeat to start the season on Saturday, although skipper Luke Vinter was encouraged by signs of improvement.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th May 2009, 16:57 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:06 BST

They passed 100 for the first time this season and finished just one run short of taking maximum batting points.

But the defeat still leaves them rooted to the bottom of the table, 26 points behind second bottom Bexhill, ahead of a trip to leaders Chichester on Saturday.

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Littlehampton skipper Luke Vinter, who is struggling with a nerve problem in his elbow, which means he will be unable to bowl this weekend, said: "I said to the boys at the end of the game that it is the first time we have been beaten by the better team.

"We couldn't have done any more, although we gave it away a little bit with the bat at the end."

Gareth Challen top-scored with a 93-ball 85 for Littlehampton. It was an innings which included 12 fours and two sixes, and Vinter said: "It was definitely the best I've seen Gareth bat. He's got a reputation as a bit of a slogger but he batted sensibly, played his big shots well and ran hard."

Pulborough captain Rohit Jagota was his side's star bowler with five wickets as Littlehampton lost their last three wickets for just three runs and were dismissed for 199.

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Adam Tester then made an early breakthrough in Pulborough's innings but a 137-run third-wicket partnership between Tom Crump and Jagota led their side to victory.

Crump struck 104 from 112 balls, with 17 fours and two sixes, while Jagota finished unbeaten on 71.

Vinter said: "Rohit's a class player and didn't hang about.

"Amit Midha caused Crump a few problems early in his innings but once he got set, he didn't give any chances."

Vinter hopes New Zealander overseas player Ben Smith will arrive in time for Saturday's match at Chichester, who include former Littlehampton opening batsman Chris Kirkham.

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Vinter said: "Hopefully, Ben will be here soon as it will lift morale.

"We're in a relegation battle, so have got to keep performing like we did on Saturday and, hopefully, the results will come.

"We've got three tough games coming up in Chichester, Stirlands and Roffey but we're more than capable of winning them."

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Related topics:CricketChichesterBexhill