Resolute batting saves Littlehampton

Ryan Budd helped save the draw for Littlehampton Cricket Club on Saturday with 24 not out

Littlehampton were set 270 to win from 47 overs in the West Sussex Invitation League Division 1 match after the hosts had won the toss and inserted Southwater, who declared on 269-5 from 46.3 overs.

Jordan Farrell bowled Nick Baker for one with 15 on the board, before captain Alex Harding and Johann Brouwer put on 78 for the second wicket. Harding was bowled by Ryan Budd a run short of his half-century but Brouwer, who top-scored with 72, and Peter Osborne (69) then shared a 112-run third-wicket partnership.

Runs down the order then came from Liam Hume, with 30 not out, and Matt Lacey, with 25, as Budd led the Littlehampton bowling attack with 2-60 from 12.3 overs.

Littlehampton captain Dan Rive and Tom Lee were unable to bowl owing to shoulder and knee injuries respectively and Lee was dismissed in the first over of Littlehampton’s reply.

Littlehampton then lost wickets at regular intervals and, despite 44 from Nathan Perry, they fell to 98-8.

Darren Bazley and Budd shared a 38-run stand for the ninth wicket as Littlehampton looked to hold on for the draw. After Bazley was out for 29, Budd, who finished unbeaten on 24 from 49 balls, and Tim Peters, who scored one off 22 deliveries, ensured Littlehampton denied Southwater victory.

Rive said: “We were 86-6 after 25 overs at the drinks break, so Southwater would have backed themselves to bowl us out.

“But Darren, Ryan and Tim batted the best part of 20 overs to ensure we drew as we didn’t want to give them any easy extra points.

“At tea, I still felt that we could chase down their total but we just lost too many early wickets.”

Littlehampton entertain West Chiltington on Saturday.