Chichester denied by Worthing tail-enders

The early morning rain had cleared by the time the captains tossed the coin.

Returning Chichester captain George Stephens won the toss and decided to bat on a pitch that looked pretty flat and lifeless.

The innings was built around a fine 84 from Simon Hasted who put his recent run of poor form behind him.

Together with Ben Caldera (41 from 45 balls) and Jay Hartard (47 from 53 balls), they made batting look extremely easy. Some late hitting from Jonny Heaven and Mike Corrigan bought the total to 260/9 after 53 overs. Ben Challen was the pick of Worthing’s bowlers with 3-63.

After the interval the clouds rolled in and rain fell intermittently well into the early evening.

Worthing shrugged off the loss of an early wicket as Brad James (53) and Andy Reid (51) put on a century stand. They looked to be well in control until Reid was smartly stumped by Stephens off the bowling of Matt Reynolds.

After this wickets fell steadily as Reynolds (3/82) and Dan Joseph (3/68) bowled well in partnership together.

With four overs left, the eighth wicket fell and Chichester sensed victory. Worthing though were able to bat out the remaining overs without any further losses and the match ended in a draw.

Chichester’s next fixture is away to Crowhurst Park.