Littlehampton's wait for a win continues

James Askew admitted his side only had themselves to blame after recording yet another West Sussex Invitation League Division 1 draw on Saturday.
Tom Lee ended unbeaten on 80 in Littlehampton's draw with Crawley Down on SaturdayTom Lee ended unbeaten on 80 in Littlehampton's draw with Crawley Down on Saturday
Tom Lee ended unbeaten on 80 in Littlehampton's draw with Crawley Down on Saturday

The stage was set for Littlehampton as they were chasing a target of 203 to clinch their first win of the season.

However, they fell eight runs short of that total and were forced to settle for a winning draw.

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That means Askew’s side have drawn all six games so far this season but the skipper believes Saturday should have been their first win.

He said: “We’ve only got ourselves to blame, if I’m honest.

“We got off to an ideal start in reply but then somehow managed to get behind the rate and ran out of overs.

“It’s only ourselves to blame for this, even with the ball we had them 110-7 then allowed them to reach 202.

“Looking back, this should have been our first win but we are still waiting.”

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Crawley Down skipper Michael Phillips decided to bat first but his side struggled early on.

Phillips went for ten, while his opening partner Steve Morley departed for five.

Dan White struck 34 but wickets kept falling and at one stage Crawley were in deep trouble at 110-7.

Down had number eight Anthony Bowler to thank, though, as his unbeaten half-century guided them past the 200 mark.

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Bowler’s 52 not out and 37 from Liam Lindsay helped Crawley to 202 for eight before they declared with 48.4 overs bowled.

Skipper Askew took three wickets and Chris Heberlein claimed two.

Littlehampton were confident at the interval and a flying start only added to their optimism.

Askew wasted no time, crashing 28 from 26 balls before falling, while his opening partner Tom Lee ended unbeaten.

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But after Askew, Ally James was the third highest scorer with 21.

A cluster of wickets fell and in the end, despite Lee hitting an unbeaten 80, Littlehampton fell eight runs short in the chase. They ended on 195 for seven from their 45 overs.

Despite still not collecting a win, Askew’s side are sixth and only 47 points behind leaders Broadwater.

Askew added: “We had a chat after Saturday’s game and said we need to start winning now.

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“It’s still so tight and we have a chance if we can stick a winning run together.

“We now know there is no room for any more errors or mistakes. I think if we can get that first win then it will give us that belief going forward.

“It looks good that we are still undefeated but six draws haven’t really helped us.

“If we were to draw every game this season, it would be possible for us to get relegated so now is the time for us to get those victories.

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“Hopefully we can get that first win at Arundel on Saturday and start to move in the right direction in the league.”

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