CRICKET: Roffey frustrate Littlehampton

Captain Luke Vinter felt his side enjoyed the better of the match throughout and was left frustrated after Roffey did not attempt to chase Littlehampton's total of 290-7 and finished on 207-4.

He said: "We played really well and were the only team interested in winning, which was a shame.

"They didn't go for the win and maybe they'll say we got too many runs but it's a small ground and, last year, we chased down 250 to win there, and the year before nearly chased down 300.

"Even when they lost their fourth wicket, they were still up with the run rate and, for us to have a chance of winning, we were relying on them going for the runs.

"In the end, we didn't have anyone on the boundaries and were chucking pies at them to try to get them to play their shots. If we had bowled properly, I think they'd have only reached about 160."

Littlehampton were stuck into bat by Roffey and responded with Guy Souch and Stuart Hanks both scoring their first half-centuries for the first team.

Souch was out for 56, which included seven fours and one six, and Hanks struck nine fours in his unbeaten 59. Chris Heberlein added 44 with three fours and four sixes, and debutant overseas player, New Zealander Ben Smith, hit 42.

Smith then took two wickets in his first over, including one first ball, and finished with 3-40 from eight overs.

For Roffey, Simon Shivnarain scored an unbeaten 74 and Chris Webb scored 72 not out. Shivnarain was dropped second ball at gully by Gareth Challen, although it was a difficult chance, and Souch put down George Fleming, who scored 33, at cover, although he was out a few overs later.

Vinter said: "If we'd taken both those chances, they'd have been about 30-5, and we'd have fancied our chances.

"We batted well, though, and Guy Souch was brilliant before Stuart Hanks also batted superbly and really deserved his half-century."

Littlehampton have six players unavailable on Saturday, including Vinter, as they head to Bexhill. Benn Challen, Gareth Challen, Chris Green, Stuart Hanks and Adam Tester are all missing, so Dan Rive will skipper the side.

Vinter said: "There's no pressure on us. We'll have a very young team and Bexhill will have everything to lose. But, we've got to start picking up wins soon, and have targeted six from our last 11 games to make sure we stay up."

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