Aldwick already at home in new West sussex division

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Aldwick v Broadbridge Heath

Invitation League division two

Moving up a division does not seem to have intimidated Aldwick as they began life in division two by easily rolling over Broadbridge Heath – despite an unconvincing batting display.

A brave rearguard action from the Aldwick tail-enders ensured the home side had some semblance of a defendable total after an alarming start which had them reeling at 51 for six thanks to quality spells from Grant Ovington (2-13) and Freddy Bridges (3-37).

Only Dean Stokes (20) of the main batsmen made a valuable contribution as the combinded efforts of the lower order Dan Robinson (18), Ollie Smith (20*) and best of all, Will Lewry (27) gave Aldwick a fighting chance.

Thanks mainly to Ollie Smith (7-35), Aldwick need not have worried as he and Adam Robinson (2-25) decimated the visitors’ batting line-up with spells that cut through the opposition with ease.

At 13 for five Heath were never going to make enough but hats off to Lucas Birrill-Gray (20) and Alex Case (28) who bravely put on 51 runs for the sixth wicket before the inevitable end came as the visitors were bowled out for a paltry 72, 55 short of their target.

Aldwick will be ready to face Storrington this weekend with confidence and high expectations.

Brighton & Hove v Selsey

Division three

Selsey got off to a maximum-point league win away to Brighton & Hove on a grim and cold day.

Selsey captain Nic Nolan won the toss and elected to bat and Selsey compiled 221 for eight off 49 overs.

A super 89 not out from Karl Walton and a maiden league 50 from Tom Amis helped Selsey recover from 120 for seven.

In reply Brighton struggled against some good bowling and were dismissed for 173 with nine balls to spare.

Amis (3-31), Tom Cripps (3-39) and Pete Horner (2-25) did the damage.

Dave Benham claimed the important ninth wicket to set up a tense final few overs and it was left to Ed Fox to clean-bowl the last man to send the Selsey boys home happy.

West Wittering v Crawley Nayee

Division three

West Wittering came agonisingly close to getting their season off to the perfect start against Crawley Nayee.

Skipper Carl Tupper lost the toss and his troops had to bat on a good but slow early-season wicket.

West Wittering made a steady start against a pumped up bowling attack, Mark Taylor making a diligent 35 before being bowled.

Tupper (40) and James White (43) kept the scoreboard ticking over before falling as they tried to accelerate.

Late impetus was added by the Staight twins, Harry and James, with quickfire 30s, setting a competitive target of 250.

Crawley Nayee found themselves 15 for four courtesy of a ferocious spell of fast bowling from Alex Salmon (2-24) and Matt Jewiss (2-9).

Prajaparai (28) and Parick (45) let a gritty recovery and the game was rumbling towards a draw with Wittering needing three wickets off the final seven balls to win.

Tupper’s never-say-die attitude and a stunning catch from Taylor meant two wickets were required from the last over.

Roche (2-3) trapped his man lbw on the fifth ball and the No11 nervously edged the last ball of the match to second slip fast and the tough catch was put down with Nayee finishing 136 for nine and the match ending in a draw.

Broadbridge Heath 2nd XI v Aldwick 2nd

Division six

Aldwick II’s opening contest was a thriller that resulted in a victory by just one wicket with last pair Spencer Bist (26*) and Ben Bambridge (7*) standing firm and knocking off the 16 runs required.

Chasing 173 for victory, the visitors were staring at an inevitable defeat on 67 for seven.

A miserable start was bolstered by a middle-order recovery from Grant Wilson (25) and Matt Spindler (20) but then the tail-enders took over with Harry Rosser making a match-winning 64 with good support form Ed Firlotte (11), before the final pair kept their nerve and ensured victory.

Earlier, Heath’s batsmen batted consistently, posting an above-par score. Openers Mathew Tyson (21) and John Baker (25) gave their side a good start and with further contributions from Josh Booker (26), Alex Round (23*) and Nathan Booker (59) they had what they thought might be a winning total.

One wicket apiece for Rossor (1-38), Firlotte (1-33) and Luke Spindler (1-27) were good rewards for their efforts and helped contribute to the Aldwick victory in an exciting finale.

This week, Aldwick are home to Chichester Priory Park III.

Felbridge & Sunnyside 3rd XI v West Wittering 2nd

West Wittering II played their first fixture in division eight and carried on where they left off last season.

New captain Mark Brien elected to bowl first on the unpredictable strip.

A late injury meant Wittering had only ten men but a masterclass in pace bowling from Joe Pink and swing bowling from newbie Andy Priest got both opening batsmen out for ducks.

The bowling was backed up in the field with an excellent run-out and minimal misfields.

Priest, Pink, Charlie Caddy and Rob Gray took two wickets each and William Finch nabbed the last with his third ball, leaving WW 91 to win.

Wittering’s opening partnership of Marc Slowey and Liam Bates got their 50 partnership within 11overs before Liam Bates, on 34, was bowled.

He was followed by Simon Lowther and Slowey but Luke Short and Priest eased past the target within 20 overs to complete the winning start.

Selsey 2nd XI v St Andrews Burgess Hill

Division nine

Selsey seconds recorded a fine home win against St Andrews.

Super bowling and fielding restricted St Andrews to 149 for seven off 40 overs. Ashley Humphreys (4-30) was the pick of the bowling assisted by tight economic bowling from J Chaloner, J Clarke, W Smith and M Weller.

In reply Selsey wobbled to 65 for five but the nimble-footed Luke Cawte smashed 50 not out to help Selsey across the line for a winning start.