CRICKET: Weekly round-up (May 23)

Arundel won the toss and inserted Ifield, who made use of the good wicket to declare after 48 overs on 202-6.

Opener Graeme Dean led by example with a solid 54, before Simon Hickey (60) hit out to top score from just 77 balls.

Arundel captain Richard James was impressed with his side's performance in the field and had his eye on taking their third win on the season.

He said: "We produced another solid performance in the field on a good wicket and did well to restrict them.

"Neil Chitty (2-48) was the pick of the bowlers, but all the seamers did well, especially at the the end of the innings when Ifield were pushing for quick runs."

However, James' joy was short lived after what he described as a terrible display with the bat as they slipped to 88-7.

He said: "It really wasn't the best of starts and we found ourselves looking at an embarrassing defeat in less than 20 overs.

"However, all the lower order applied themselves well, and we managed to hold out for a draw. Harrison Temple's effort was exceptional for a lad his age and, for a 15-year-old, he continues to show great promise with bat and ball.

"He was well supported by both Neil Chitty, who top-scored with 30, and Ally James (25), who both played good counter-attacking innings that took the sting out Ifield's attack."

Arundel held out to finish on 147-9 after 52 overs for a draw, that James said, he would have taken if it was offered before the game: "We had a few players missing, so it's a result that I'm happy with."

East Preston captain Andy Reeves thought his side started well but saw things turn after their top three batsmen gave their wickets away in their first defeat of the season at Portslade.

Gary Weedon (31), Jack Sunderland (48) and Colin Smith (27) all got starts in their West Sussex Invitation League Division 1 clash, but no other batsman made it past 17 runs and they declared on 186-8 after 48.1 overs.

Andrew Reid led Portslade's bowling attack with 3-49 from 17 overs.

Reeves said: "It was a bit disappointing, really. We made a good start but then started to lose our wickets.

"Jack got done by a full toss and Colin guided one straight into their gully's hands.

"I thought we had set a reasonable total, though. When their number five Tom Nickolson came in, he looked to be very nervous and we really thought we had a chance.

"But things didn't go our way, he hung around and did well in the end. A few fell into the gaps and although we got some of them out towards the end, it wasn't enough."

Nickolson overcame his initial nerves to hit an impressive 59, while Ian Morley struck 51 not out to help Portslade reach their target with just under seven overs to spare.

Sunderland took four wickets in 10 overs for East Preston.

EP do not have a game on Saturday but next face Crawley Eagles, who are second.

Clymping lost their home match against an inform and top-of-the-table Broadwater side by five wickets in the same division.

Broadwater won the toss and elected to bowl, but Clymping got off to a slow start as Andy Hancock made just two runs from 23 balls. Fellow opener Kim Dean managed 25, but both had been dismissed with 32 on the board.

Alex Pugh (48) and Sam Orchard (41) added to the tally but with little other support Clymping finished on 169-9 after 49 overs.

Clymping captain Karl Pierce said: "We batted better than last week, but we were never going to defend 169 runs. It should have been a much higher target as the track was worth a lot more.

"However, we're the only side this season they haven't bowled out or taken maximum points from, so that was a little pleasing, but overall we underperformed."

Clymping were kicking themselves after dropping opener Graham Waller off just his second delivery, as the batsman went on to make 85 runs from just 65 balls, with 15 fours.

And it was his brother, Nigel, who eventually completed the victory with 28 not out.

Richard Waddington led the attack for Clymping and took three wickets off his 12 overs, which went for 51 runs.

Pierce added: "Sam Orchard, who is probably our best fielder, dropped Graham off his second ball with an absolute dolly, which was frustrating.

"They're a good side and bowled well at us, which is what made the difference."

Rustington are still searching for their first win in Division 3 after they fell at Barns Green by 73 runs.

Rustington won the toss and decided to bowl but Simon Gosden and David Mangold had little luck with the ball, as Green opener Roger Southgate rushed to 79.

He was assisted by Jason Dumbrill's 45 and Tom Ott's 40 not out to mount up a total of 234-4, when Barns Green declared after 36 overs.

Grant Melvin did have a good spell with the ball and took 3-29 from his six overs, while Adam Taylor got the other wicket.

Rustington had opportunities to take more wickets but dropped a number of catches.

Rustington had plenty of time to chase down the score on a good batting wicket but things got off to a poor start as Alex Fitch, Matt Cousins and Taylor all went for ducks.

Gosden was the only one of the top four batsmen to make any runs and another fine contribution from him saw him score 58.

Melvin (33) and Alan Hodgson (24) both chipped in but they were eventually bowled out for 161 with just two overs remaining.

Ashleigh Hilton's unbeaten 50 helped Angmering to their second victory of the season as they beat Portslade in a friendly on Sunday.

Angmering made 175-7 with Hilton, Tim Pearson (38) and Tojin Varghese (20) leading the scores. The hosts replied with 128-6, in which Jim Hughes' seven overs cost just nine runs.

Rustington Wanderers captain Chris Kirkham hit a superb 121 on Sunday as they successfully chased down a target of 200 set by Pagham, with four wickets and fours overs in hand.

Gareth Challen took three wickets, as did Gav Hammond, and Kev Clayton chipped in with two for Rustington.

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