Bognor top the tree... Chichester need to regroup

Here’s how they fared in their latest matches, ahead of a derby at the Regis Oval this Saturday.

Portslade v Bognor

Sussex League division three

Bognor cemented their position at the top of the table with a fine 115 run win.

The hosts won the toss and elected to field, which looked a good decision after the early loss of diminutive opener Mikey Harris (9).

Bognor regained the initiative with an 80-run partnership between lithe opener Max Ashmore and skipper Zayne Bux (41), the former notching his first league 50 of the year with a composed 54.

At 117 for three, the game was nicely balanced but an excellent 104-run partnership between burly all-rounder Elliott Clarke (51) and spritely wicketkeeper Ryan Maskell (52) saw Bognor declare on 233 for six. For Portslade, Paul Glover led the line with four for 73.

In reply Bognor went about their business with aplomb. After an early strike for Graham Bush, the in-form Jim Lee snaffled two wickets to open the Portslade door.

Once again spin kings Joe Ashmore and Elliott Clarke turned on the style and ran through the Portslade order, Ashmore bagging four for 31 and Clarke three for 18 as the hosts were bowled out for 118 in 35 overs, capping another excellent all-round display for Bognor Regis.

Burgess Hill v Chichester

Sussex League division two

The home side won the toss and elected to bat first. Openers Tom Trowbridge and Jack Simpson raced to 62 without loss.

Trowbridge was the victim of a smart stumping by John Edwards off James Stedman. This triggered a flurry of wickets and when Simpson was bowled by Dan Weigl for 55, Burgess Hill were looking precarious at 93 for four.

Nathan Cooper steadied the ship with some hard hitting and seized the momentum back for Burgess Hill. Chichester’s bowlers had no answer and the fielders were often spectators to his powerfully-hit shots. He finished 101 not out off just 93 balls as Burgess Hill declared on 248 for six.

Chichester shrugged off the early loss of opener Peter Lamb and started positively in their response to the challenging target. Simon Hasted (32), Dan Weigl (34) and Ben Hubbard (48) all got starts and for a while Chichester were ahead of the target.

But no-one was able to make a big score and wickets fell regularly. When Hubbard departed, the lower order crumbled with Peter Billinghay their chief tormentor.

He finished with four for 39 as Chichester were bowled out for 163, condemning them to their second straight loss.

Chichester v Middleton

T20 Cup

Middleton were put into bat on a warm day in Priory Park in the second round ot the T20 Cup and they made a steady start. Ben Hansford (59 not outfrom 47 balls) and Toby Macer (60 from 40s) put on 117 for the second wicket.

Late hitting from Patrick Colvin (18) saw them set Chichester a challenging target of 174.

Chichester were positive in their response. Peter Lamb and Dan Joseph put on 34 in quick time before the former was bowled by Jamie Thompson. Charlie Futcher (32) added some impetuous to the chase but he was one of three wickets to fall to the former Chichester player Beck Hemingway (3-22). The lower order weren’t able to kick on and Chichester spluttered to 124 for eight in their 20 overs.

Bognor 2nds v Portslade 2nds

2nd XI division three west

In the reverse fixture at The Regis Oval, Bognor won the toss and chose to field.

Once more veteran seamers Rich Cox and Andy McGregor went to work with high purpose. McGregor continued his decent start to the season bagging two for 29 but it was Cox, arguably in the form of his life, rattling through the Portslade order grabbing five for 15 and taking him to fourth in the county bowling ranks.

With Charlie La Foret bagging a quick two for five, Portslade were bowled out for 54.

Bognor opener Ollie Adams dashed to a quick 21 and with ever-dependable Harry Hood and old boy Bernie Burns knocking off the runs, Bognor won the game by nine wickets and also sees them rising to fourth place in the league.

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