Mottershead makes welcome Steyning return in Eagles victory

Home skipper Dave Kennett won the toss and having put Eagles into bat they bowled them out for just 124 thanks to an excellent team effort in the field.

In reply Lee Mottershead made a welcome return to the side with a knock of 70 to help the hosts claim maximum points.

Kennett said: (It was) much better than last week, it was a good performance in the end to get the 30 points.

“We were pretty much in control from the first over, as a team we bowled really tight and an excellent fielding performance created the pressure which lead to the wickets.”

Steyning’s overseas fast bowler Don Ramesh Subasinghe and James Johnson bowled an extremely tight opening spell, restricting the visitors to less than two an over.

Along with some razor sharp fielding it created the pressure for left arm off spinner Andy Isaacs to come in and take 4-20, the second wicket curtesy of a stunning Subasinghe catch in the slips.

Subasinghe ended with 2-25 and David Crowshaw weighed in with 2-38 as Eagles were knocked off for 124.

In reply Steyning’s openers Mottershead and Jamie Carter had to face Eagles’ tall opening bowler who found plenty of pace and bounce. Once they got into their stride the pair made 89 for the opening wicket.

Carter went for 27 but by the time 19 year old Mottershead fell for 70, Steyning were almost over the winning line.

Kennett said: “Lee was our top run-scorer last season so it was good to have him back, he batted very well. We had eight players under the age of 25 but what we lacked in experienced we made up for with youth in the field.” Steyning are third in the table after seven games.