CRICKET: Local round-up (May 6)

GORING Cricket Club captain Dan Pittham was delighted after his side got their season off to a winning start in Division 3 West of the Sussex League, albeit very narrowly, with just a three-run win over local rivals Findon.

Goring, who lost the toss, were put in by Findon and despite setting just 122 all out, Pittham was confident it was a total they could work with.

Opener Chris Bird went for a duck, before they put a few runs up thanks to Adam Coutts (11), Pittham (14), Ben Cartwright (10) and Ellis Woolley (39).

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Russell Brown led the Findon attack with 5-29, while Gary Howell took 2-18.

Pittham said: "It was a below par score as it was about a 160-170 wicket, and we didn't bat too well, even though it was hard to score.

"At the start of their innings, I thought there was a very good chance we'd get something from the game, as they could easily make the mistakes that we did.

"At 92-4, it looked as though they were going to make it, but we kept going and got the wickets."

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After losing Jack Metters early, with just one run on the board, Findon picked up and had 50 up, thanks to captain Barry Meaney (12) and Andy Vickerstaff (32), when the next wicket fell. They then lost four wickets in fairly quick succession, although they still looked comfortable to reach the 123 target.

But a late collapse, as Findon added just 22 runs for their last six batsmen, meant they fell short of a winning start.

Leeming topped Goring's attack, taking 3-9 from his seven overs.

Meaney said: "It was disappointing as we bowled and fielded well and on that front I couldn't have asked much more. I did feel it was a score we could definitely chase, but to be fair to them they took wickets at all the right times. We started well with the bat but fell a bit short '“ maybe that's from a bit of inexperience, but on the whole it was really positive."

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Worthing captain Dominic Clapp was encouraged by his side's performance in their draw at Haywards Heath in Division 2.

Heath scored 246-8 from their 53 overs before Worthing responded with 182-6 and Clapp said: "For the first game of the season, I'm pretty happy with how things went.

"It's a solid start to the season and was a comfortable draw. We bowled really well early on but didn't have much luck. But we clawed it back at the end and got a few wickets, which got us back in it."

A 118-run stand for the second wicket between Ben Francis and Steve Kingcome laid the foundations for Heath's total. Francis was fourth man out, with the score on 206, for 91 from 136 balls after hitting 13 fours, and Kingscome struck 52.

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Chris Mansell and Andy Lutwyche both took four wickets for Worthing, although Lutwyche's excellent figures were damaged by 24 coming off his last over.

In reply, Worthing kept losing regular wickets, although Rebbetts finished unbeaten on a 91-ball 51, with seven fours.

Broadwater started their promotion-bidding season in Division 1 of the West Sussex Invitation League with a draw against Southwater.

Broadwater won the toss and stuck in Southwater who made 253-4 in their 49 overs, before Broadwater responded with 177-5 after 45 overs.

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Captain Graham Waller described it as a satisfactory result: "We didn't bowl or field too well and weren't as strong as we could have been, so I will take that result, as they are a team that will be up there.

"It was a big chase on that track so, after losing two early wickets early on, I was happy to take the bonus points."

Bryan Streeter top-scored with 81 for Southwater, as Broadwater's Steve Waller took 2-41.

Despite losing Bob Reynolds and Richard Luker early on, opener Waller smashed 85, and put on 115 for the third wicket with James Iago, who hit an impressive 53 not out, to help Broadwater to the draw.

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Worthing Chippingdale drew their opener with West Chiltington in Division 3 of the Invitation League.

Chipps hit 193-6 thanks to Graham Avinou's 87 and Amjad Riaz's 71.

West Chiltington then responded with 143-7 after 45 overs.

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