Invitation League cricket: Aldwick’s run comes to end but others prosper

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Aldwick v Clymping

Invitation League division one

Aldwick’s winning run came to an end against Clymping but despite a below-par performance they did not concede defeat and remain top, equal on points with Crawley Down.

Without skipper Joel Lodge, and chasing 220 for victory, the home side found it hard going against the visitors’ bowling attack.

Although openers Louis Paul (33) and Dean Stokes (13) put on 41 for the first wicket, most of their team-mates found it tough against the Clymping bowlers.

Harry Hughes bowled 14 overs and was rewarded with two for 41 and Andrew Dick was equally successful with two for 33. A late rally from Keelan Belcher (29*) ensured Aldwick finished on 152 for six.

Aldwick’s fielders were not at their best as they failed to take their catches which assisted the progress of Gary Challen (96), Karl Piece (59*) and Paddy Horne (24).

However, Clymping quickly tumbled from 167 for two to 219 all out as Adam Robinson (3-31). Ollie Smith (3-52) and Keelan Belcher (3-30) stuck to the task.

Aldwick’s next challenge is away to Scaynes Hill 1 this week.

West Wittering v Southwick

Division three

On a glorious day at Millennium Meadow, West Wittering beat a slightly-depleted Southwick on what appeared a wonderful batting track. Southwick won the toss and elected to field and after reaching 135 for one from 25 overs, West Wittering decided to up the ante to ensure sufficient time remained to press for a positive result.

Adding 60 in just seven overs, the West Wittering top-order notched 13 boundaries and smashed couple of sixes, each endangering the clubhouse, sightscreens and spectators, in accelerating to 195 for three from 34 overs. Captain Carl Tupper (43), in-form White (42) and opener Taylor (34) helped rack up the runs.

However, in an unprecedented twist, Southwick’s principal strike bowler, Paul Grennan appeared determined to stem the onslaught. After dismissing the set batsmen, Grennan did away with Wittering’s lower-order, removing the subsequent four batsmen for ducks and was unlucky not to walk away with a hat-trick after a close lbw shout failed to go in his favour.

Hhis awe-inspiring spell earned the stand-in skipper six for 21 from 12 overs and meant Wittering were 211 all out from 38 overs.

With 55 overs to reach their target, the Southwick response never got going. Although Wittering lost Alex Salmon to injury after three overs, wickets fell at regular intervals.

Fantastic measured bowling from the likes of Harry Staight (3-11) and Matt Jewiss (2-16) ensured the result was never in doubt, sweeping aside Southwick for 68 all out inside 31 overs.

The comprehensive victory puts West Wittering joint top of the Invitation League division-three table. They travel to Selsey this weekend.

Horsham v Selsey

Division three

A superb all-round performance from Selsey ensured a maximum-points win at the beautiful Horsham ground.

Captain Nic Nolan opted to bat despite the pitch being green. Despite an early wicket, Selsey amassed 251 for four off 49 overs with Andy Horner holding the innings together with a steady 39 which allowed Nic Nolan to be aggressive and smash 57.

Nick Horner batted superbly for 83 not out and brother Pete Horner hitting a quickfire 41 not out at the end as they put on 60 in the last five overs.

In reply Horsham struggled against fine spells from Josh Stocks (2-36), Tom Amis (2-22), Tom Cripps (2-15) and Pete Horner (4-11) and collapsed from 104 for four to 110 all out. The fielding was good, especially a stunning catch from Ed Fox in the gully.

Littlehampton 2nds v Aldwick 2nds

Division six

A top performance from the home side’s bowlers Tim Peters (5-28), Daniel White 2-24) and Nick Larkin (2-4) shot out Aldwick for just 88 despite worthwhile efforts from Arthur Bradbury (20), Luke Splinder (22) and Will Lewry (26).

Chasing just 89 for victory, Littlehampton coasted to victory in the 20th over thanks mainly to Rick Heberlien’s 45 until he was undone by Aldwick’s top bowler (Will Lewry 2-27) as the visitors slipped from top spot to fourth place.

Grant Wilson (1-4) and Ed Firlotte (1-25) bagged a wicket apiece but after this heavy defeat Aldwick II must regroup and be made of sterner stuff.

West Wittering 2nds v Rustington 2nds

Division eight

On a glorious day, West Witterings were put in to bat at Rustington.

Joe Pink and Liam Bates opened the batting, but Bates was not there for long, being caught at point for only six in the second over.

Luke Short came to the middle and began the rebuilding process with Pink. Short went for a patient 23, while Richard Hammond returned for his first game this season and began increasing the run rate with a quickfire 20.

Andy Priest and Charlie Caddy kept up the tempo while Pink kept batting patiently. After Pink had departed for 69, Jack Lyons and Marc Slowey kept up the run rate.

West Wittering finished on 177 off 40 overs. Prabuaker finished with three for 28.

Rustington seconds’ run chase got off to a slow start with Priest and Lyons bowling tight lines. Lyons got two early breakthroughs but the West Wittering bowlers came up against stiff resistance from Hadlow, Prabuaker and Cousins.

Joe Pink got the breakthroughs West Wittering needed. Wickets fell at regular intervals and Rustington finished on 126 for nine.

Pink finished with four wickets for 31. West Wittering secured their place at the top of division eight.

Selsey 2nds v Horsham 4ths

Selsey produced a solid all-round display to beat a youthful Horsham side.

Selsey batted first and scored 197 for seven off their 40 overs. The innings was built around Tim Fewster’s 65, Craig Mason (30) and Luke Cawte (37no).

In reply Horsham were dismissed for 116 as Dave Clarke took three for 13, Will Smith two for 25, James Chaloner two for 29 and Jo Clarke one for 22.

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