Priory pick up much-needed win... Bognor battle on in top spot

Here are the latest reports from our local Sussex League division-three sides...

Crawley Eagles v Chichester Priory Park

Sussex League division three

After last week’s disappointing draw, Chichester Priory Park notched a good 39-run victory at high-flying Crawley.

On a sunny day and on a rock-hard patch, it came as a bit of a surprise when the Eagles asked Chichester to bat first.

Opener John Edwards took the attack to Crawley’s bowlers as Chichester raced to 63 off their first ten overs.

Ably supported by Stuart Barker, the pair put on 72 for the first wicket before Barker was run out for 20 while attempting a second run. Edwards brought up his half-century but was dismissed for an impressive 62 off 46 balls. The dismissal of Edwards and the introduction of Crawley spinners triggered a mini collapse, leaving the visitors precariously balanced at 125 for five.

Peter Lamb (42) took on responsibility for getting the team to a decent total and he found able support in the shape of Charlie Futcher (16) and Rob Carver (21).

Lamb and Carver put on 51 for the seventh wicket before falling in successive balls. A quickfire 19 from James Chriss dragged the total to 229 all out inside 49 overs. Jibran Khan was the pick of the Crawley bowlers with three for 69.

Chichester’s bowlers needed to take early wickets and were rewarded after just three balls when Matt Geffen removed Azam Riyard for a duck.

Geffen struck again a few overs later to dismiss Tayyab Mahmood, leaving the Eagles on 48 for two. Rehan Hasan and Jibran Khan set about rebuilding the innings and put on 70 for the third wicket.

Chichester needed inspiration and found it in the shape of an excellent reaction catch from Rob Carver. Khan was gone for 40 but Hasan continued on his way to 81, steering the Eagles to 157 for three, 73 runs from victory.

The momentum of the game changed when Dan Weigl dismissed the settled Hasan and new batsman Amaar Suddazahi in successive balls.

The reintroduction of Geffen saw him remove Eagles captain Imran Suddazahai lbw, a decision the batsman wasn’t happy with.

Crawley’s lower order wilted under pressure and some fine bowling from Geffen and Weigl. A spectacular collapse saw Crawley bowled out for 190, giving the visitors a 39-run victory.

Geffen (5-46) and Weigl (5-48) both took five-wicket hauls.

Chichester took maximum points and the sense of relief was palpable as they climbed out of the relegation zone and into sixth place.

With two home games now against the two bottom teams, the men from Priory Park will look to capitalise on this excellent result and continue their rise up the league.

First up they host Goring on Saturday.

Glynde & Beddingham v Bognor

Sussex League division three

Table-toppers Bognor continued their unbeaten season against Glynde. The hosts won the toss and elected to bat on a sound wicket but the lively Graham Bush (1-73) made an early breakthrough for Bognor.

This didn’t deter Glynde as a 98-run partnership between Rob Mouland (68) and Michael Warren saw the initiative swing back the hosts’ way.

Warren was dismissed for 51 with the score on 160 but Chris Baker (43) and Archie Burrows with 67 saw Glynde declare on 241 for five, giving Bognor 50 overs to chase down the target of 242.

For Bognor, the ever-zesty Mikey Harris was the pick of the attack with two for 22.

Harris and burly Geordie Andy Quincey tucked into Glynde’s bowling with impish left-hander Harris making a quickfire 68. Quincey opened his shoulders to make 68 but this proved just an appetiser.

Skipper Zayne Bux grabbed the innings by the scruff of the neck to make an imperious 90 not out, finishing with a six, and saw Bognor win the game by eight wickets. The win keeps Bognor at the top of division three with a home game against the unpredictable Crawley Eagles this week.

Bognor 2nd v Wisborough Green 2nd

Sussex League division three west

At the Regis Oval, Bognor put the visitors in but Green proceeded to 62 for one, Tom Woolnough snaffling a wicket.

However, a bowling change that saw elder brother Jamie Woolnough replace his younger sibling brought great rewards for Bognor as alongside Rich Cox, the pair chipped away .

Woolnough bagged three for 25, including a smart stumping by debutant keeper Jim Fallick, but Cox with his seventh consecutive five-fer, (5-68) saw Green all out for 139.

In reply Ollie Adams continued his fine run with a brisk 44 before a flurry of wickets for Hector Munro (3-34) and McDonald (3-25) saw Bognor wobble at 105 for six.

The hosts were not to be denied as a quick salvo from Cox (26no) in tandem with the classy Mark Woolnough (44no) saw Bognor to victory with a four-wicket win.

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