Bognor, Chichester and West Wittering begin Sussex League campaigns

Burgess Hill v Bognor

Sussex division two

In a match reduced to 37 overs a side after heavy rain, Bognor lost the toss, but made inroads in the very first over as James Chadburn shouldered arms to Josh Sargeant.

Bognor’s opening bowlers limited the scoring apart from a number of wides.

Wajid Shah chipped a return catch to Ben Woolnough to depart for 10 and captain Joe Maskell chopped on to Nick Ballamy for the same score to leave Burgess Hill 33-3.

A classy partnership between Kevin Ramsay (55) and Lewis Mamoany (54) brought the home side back into the game.

Mike Harris had Mamoany stumped but Burgess Hill closed on an imposing 192-6.

Bognor skipper Ryan Maskell set the tone for the reply, hitting the first ball for six, and the captain, alongside Ballamy, didn’t look back.

After Ballamy played on, Joe Ashmore joined Maskell for the defining partnership.

The two balanced excellent running with efficient power hitting, taking Bognor to within 60 of the total before Ashmore played on.

Taylor Jaycocks, Harris and Josh Seward supported Maskell in closing out the chase.

The away side won by six wickets with Maskell finishing with a commanding 70*.

Chichester Priory Park v

Roffey II

Sussex League div two

League cricket returned to Goodwood for the first time since 2019 after a pandemic-enforced hiatus.

With strict sanitising instructions, social distancing and no spectators, the atmosphere felt very different.

One thing that could be relied on was the British weather as heavy rain threatened to wash out the game. Fortunately, it dried up and the efforts of groundsman Richard Geffen meant play began just half an hour late.

Roffey’s second XI won the toss and invited Chichester to bat.

Despite the rain, the pitch looked excellent for batting and the bowlers carved out few chances. The innings was anchored by in-form Matt Bennison (82) who put on 50 stands with Mike Smith (30) and Sean Dobbs (31).

The loss of the set batsmen and late wickets slowed momentum but Chichester were satisfied to close their 45 overs on 228-8.

Roffey’s response started poorly, with Matt Geffen trapping Josh Gander. Shrugging off a few early scares, Chris Webb began to accumulate at a decent strike rate, dominating 50 partnerships with Sachin Naik (15) and Alex Southon (14).

With the run rate under control, wickets in hand and Webb nearing his century, it became clear the chase was very much on.

Ajit Sambhi took three wickets but Webb passed 100 and with five overs left, 30 runs at a run a ball were needed.

A big over of 17 runs for Roffey all but confirmed their victory. The winning runs came in the penultimate over, with Webb (141*), hitting the winning runs.

It was a deflating loss for Chichester but certainly had positives, the accumulation of 12 points in defeat being one of them.

They will hope to notch up their first win when they go to Lindfield on Saturday.

West Wittering v Wisborough Green

Division five west

​With overcast skies and a green pitch which looked likely to offer some movement for the bowling side, Wisborough Green won the toss and put West Wittering into bat.

The pressure was on early, as James Rainford (1-29) struck in the first over. This was supported by accurate bowling from Johnny Farmer (1-40), with West Wittering stumbling to 22-2.

However, Zander Muir (16) helped to steady the ship before a wonderful 172-run partnership between Brandon Trimmer (116*) and Sam Caddy (68*), the former bringing up his first century for the club.

Having set Wisborough 241 to win, the West Wittering bowlers went onto the offensive immediately.

There were a number of excellent spells, including those by Harry Staight (2-7), Andy Priest (3-18) and Joe Sissons (2-28).

Following his fine innings, Caddy also excelled on the field, claiming three catches and amassing bowling figures of 2-17.

Wisborough Green were all out with a handful of overs remaining, falling well short on 132.

Aldwick v Steyning 2

Sussex Division 6 West

Aldwick suffered their second defeat in two games and must raise their game if they going to make any significant impact this season.

Aldwick skipper Alex Cooper opened and top-scored with an admirable 49 but saw his side slump from 60-2 to 71-6. Mark Lester (21*) and Ian Horner (24) fought back with a 43-run stand.

But after Horner was run out Steyning’s Mark Harrison wiped out the tail, taking 3-2 in 19 balls, and helped bowl out the home side for 122.

Opening bowlers James Johnson (3-36) and Alex Ross-Scott (2-3) did most of the damage.

Horner (1-11) bowled Steyning opener Simon Grant for nine to give his side hope early on but Harvey King (70*) and Ryan Matthews (44*) took their side victory in the 26th over. Stenying won by nine wickets.

Fittleworth v Aldwick

Fittleworth’s tie against Aldwick was their first home game for four years and they made 227-8 to set up a competitive run chase.

Liam Kitchener (42), Alan Shepherd (57) and Andy Kitchener (51 rtd) all contributed but Alex Ryder kept things in check with 4-32 and Jordan Edwards with 2-30.

Aldwick’s innings was dominated by Ed White’s unbeaten 146* in a total of 178 all out ( 82% of his team’s runs ).

Adrian Homewood (3-1) and Roy Levit (2-6) amongst others were responsible for six ducks.

Bigwood featured in a 47-run ninth wicket partnership with White, and Bradbury in a last wicket stand of 61.

White hit 15 fours and nine sixes in his knock but the visitors still finished 50 runs short.

Bognor 2nd v Slinfold 2nd

Bognor, batting first, lost Elvis Millen to the first ball, with the middle order quickly following.

Keeper Gary Maskell (52) steadied the ship, but it was left to genuine all-rounder Scott Bingham (46) and league debutant Ben Roberts (31) to drag the home side to 196-9.

Slinfold’s innings was anchored by keeper Nabil Nilamdeen (76), supported by Mushal Murad’s 41.

A combination of late wickets, tight bowling and poor game management saw Slinfold slip behind the rate. They ended 11 runs short, Bognor taking home the points.

Bognor 3rd v Aldwick 2nd

At Westmeads, Bognor batted first and amassed a healthy 196, John Hooker’s 67 the mainstay. Dan Harper (37) was the other main contributor.

Good bowling from Alex Ryder (2-50) and David Edwards (1-30) throughout helped stem the flow of runs

Aldwick were then bowled out for 53, with Harry Lindsey’s 4-11 supported by Simon Love’s 3-4, Bognor winning by 143 runs.

Only openers David Edwards (10) and Oliver Duffin (12) made double figures.

Shirrell Heath v Ashling

Ben Elliott and Julian Whiting, both making debuts for Ashling, were the outstanding performers.

Ashling CC set a competitive total of 188-5 off 40 overs. Elliott ended on 49 not out and there was 48 by Whiting.

Vaz Kumbhar weighed in with 56 in a stand of 96 with Elliott. The chase was curtailed when the rain came with Shirrell Heath 82-4.