Chichester Priory Park ruin Steyning’s party with commanding win
Chichester Priory Park CC produced a commanding five-wicket victory over newly crowned league champions Steyning CC, putting a slight dampener on their title celebrations in the process.
Steyning won the toss and elected to bat, posting 201–9 from their 45 overs. Chichester’s bowlers produced an excellent all-round display, led by Owen Harris, who claimed 4–42, while Freddie Gillett was outstanding with 1–7 from his six overs.
In reply, Chichester chased down the target with five wickets in hand. Toby Toft provided a flying start with 37 from just 23 balls before Tim Wergan and Elijah Stead took control of the innings.
Wergan anchored the chase brilliantly with an unbeaten 81 from 99 balls, while Stead continued his superb season with a quickfire 61 from 55 balls. The pair put Chichester firmly in the driving seat before Freddie Gillett finished things off with a six from just his second ball.
With the league campaign now complete, Chichester turn their attention to the play-offs, with Lindfield waiting next week in the first play-off.
After winning the toss and electing to field, Chichester 2nd XI’s bowlers made an immediate impact. Finlay Rustell led the attack with an excellent 4/30, while Matthew Croker claimed 3/18 from his seven overs, including two maidens. Tom Symington also chipped in with 3/30 including 3 maidens as Aldwick were bowled out for 111 in 28.5 overs.
Aldwick’s Luke Barkes provided the main resistance with 41, but regular wickets prevented them from building a substantial total.
Chichester’s chase got off to a difficult start, slipping to 24/3, but Sean Dobbs held the innings together with a patient unbeaten 38 from 88 balls.
The game was then turned in Chichester’s favour by Alex Lowther, who smashed a rapid 38 from just 30 balls, including three fours and two sixes. His attacking innings took Chichester from a precarious position to within touching distance of victory.
With 20 extras also helping the chase, Chichester reached 112/5 in 25.4 overs, with Dobbs unbeaten alongside Arran Goode to seal a well-deserved five-wicket win.
Chichester 3rd XI secured the league title and promotion following a victory against Ram at Priory Park. Electing to bat first, Chichester lost skipper Goode in the first over before Ben Hubbard made 31.
Toby Lewis, 17, and Elliot Goode, 15, then added 102 for the third wicket. Lewis was run out for 73 before Goode finished unbeaten on 68, lifting the total to 211 from 40 overs.
Opening bowlers Saqib Kushnood and Oscar Dutton took a wicket each to leave Ram on seven for two. Spinners Oscar Clifford Brown and James Mayne applied pressure by taking four wickets between them.
RAM revised their target to 160 for promotion bonus points, but disciplined bowling restricted them to 158 for nine.
This win and 30 points confirmed Chichester as league winners for 2027 and secured promotion.
Ram missed out on promotion to Petworth Park on countback after failing to gain maximum batting points.
Having secured second place in Division 11 West, Aldwick came up against a tough Pagham side. Dawson Darke scored 109 out of 268. Dan Austin’s 47 was not enough to save Aldwick from an 86-run defeat.