Littlehampton score third successive league victory

James Askew’s side followed up victories over Southwater and Horsham Trinity by beating Ram by 40 runs at The Sportsfield.

After choosing to bat first, Littlehampton posted 180-9 from 49 overs thanks to Louis Paul (38) and scores of 30 from both Askew and Mcleod Cox.

The home side then had their bowlers to thank for gaining them a 40-run victory.

Skipper Askew led the way by taking four wickets while Ryan Budd claimed three and Cox weighed in with two.

The win leaves Littlehampton fourth, just 18 points of new league leaders and rivals Arundel with a game in hand.

Littlehampton captain Askew has been impressed by his side’s consistency in recent weeks and wants to see it continue.

He said: “Our biggest issue over the previous few seasons has been consistency.

“We have managed to start putting a run together over recent weeks but we need to keep going and not take our foot off the gas.

“We knew 180 was below-par, especially playing at home, but we knew Ram liked to play their shots, so if we got the ball in the right areas, chances would come.

“Both Ryan and Mcleod bowled very well and both have been excellent this season getting crucial wickets at key times.

“I think it’s still a bit too early to start talking about promotion as we are not yet halfway through the season.

“We know we need to keep playing good cricket, picking up positive results, and we shall see where that takes us over the next few weeks.”

Littlehampton lost opener Thomas Lee (six) and Guy Souch (one) in quick succession after deciding to bat first.

Other opener and captain Askew stuck around, making 30 before he was bowled by Hersh Tank.

Ally James (26), Paul (38) and Cox (30) got Littlehampton to 142-6, though they struggled at the back end of their innings eventually posting 180-9 off 49 overs.

Tank finished with figures of 4-45, while Nishit Patel claimed three wickets.

The game was in the balance at the halfway stage, with Littlehampton needing to bowl well to take victory.

Askew got rid off both openers Danny Patel (six) and Bunty Suthar (20), then Cox dismissed Harshil Patel (nought) and Tank (22) to leave Ram struggling at 67-4.

Innings top scorer Kartik Patel (42) and 21 from skipper Darpan Amin got the travelling side to 121-6 before things fell away.

Ram’s final four wickets went down for just 19 runs as they were eventually all out for 140 in 36.1 overs.

Littlehampton captain led the way claiming figures of 4-61, then three wickets for Budd and two for Cox helped their side seal a hat-trick of league wins.

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