Roffey move clear at top of the table after 'pleasing win'

Roffey captain Matt Davies was pleased to extend their lead at the top following their 18-run home win over Three Bridges in a special T20 Premier Division game on Saturday.
Roffey celebrate picking up a wicket during their home win over Three Bridges. All pictures by by Derek Martin PhotographyRoffey celebrate picking up a wicket during their home win over Three Bridges. All pictures by by Derek Martin Photography
Roffey celebrate picking up a wicket during their home win over Three Bridges. All pictures by by Derek Martin Photography

The Boars, put in by Bridges, were fired to 143-6 off their allotted overs thanks to Rohit Jagota’s quickfire 77 off 54 balls.

James Pearce then returned fine figures of 3-8 to help Roffey bowl the visitors out for 125 in 19.4 overs.

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The Boars’ victory coupled with second-placed Brighton & Hove’s defeat at bottom-club Mayfield means Roffey have opened up a 39 point gap at the division’s summit.

Rohit Jagota hit 77 and took 1-33Rohit Jagota hit 77 and took 1-33
Rohit Jagota hit 77 and took 1-33

Davies said: “It was a pleasing win mainly because we managed to extend our lead at the top of the table.

“Rohit is a class player and will always score runs. It is no surprise that he has had such a big influence with the bat in recent weeks.

“Pearcey led from the front with three crucial wickets. Everyone was really pleased for him coming off the back of an injury.”

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James Pearce finished with 3-8James Pearce finished with 3-8
James Pearce finished with 3-8
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Jibran Khan (nine) and Mike Norris (ten off nine) also began scoring at high-speed but, like Manenti, saw their wickets tumble before they could start going through the gears.

The loss of wicketkeeper Paul Harrison had Roffey struggling at 69-4, leading captain Davies (20*) to the crease.

Together with Jagota the pair crashed 50 runs in 20 minutes and 38 balls, eventually combining to hit 57 at five before Jagota went to Conor Golding (1-18).

Theo Rivers (six off four) was the last Boars wicket to fall as the hosts saw out their 20 overs.

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A deadly opening spell from dangerman Pearce saw Bridges’ reply falter from the start. Regan Derham (duck), Sam Cooper (two) were all snagged by Pearce with the score at 11-2 before Jagota (1-33) claimed Conor Golding (duck) 11-runs later.

David Winn (33 off 19) was proving to be a thorn in Roffey’s side but Pearce struck with a timely lbw to end Winn’s entertaining knock.

Luke Barnard (2-21) and George Fleming (1-21) then ripped through the middle-order as Bridges dropped from 39-4 to 73-8.

Tailenders Oliver (20 off 18) and Matt Blandford (12 off eight) and Archit Patel (18* off 14) offered resistance but Manenti (1-8) and Alex Collins (1-22) polished off the lower-order.

The Boars travel to East Grinstead on Saturday.