Slam has been grand for Aldwick cricketers

Aldwick v Middleton

Sussex Slam

In a complete contrast to the August Cup, Aldwick qualified for the southern semi-finals of the Sussex Slam.

They bowled Middleton out for 137, with Rijo Ragu taking 3-25. Richard Gabb (51*) and Alex Cooper (45) put on 98 for the first wicket and Aldwick won by four wickets.

They play Portslade in the semi-final this Sunday. The other semi-final is Findon v Bosham. Both games will be held at the Felpham Oval with the winners playing in the final on the same day.

Aldwick v The Old Barn

Aldwick batted first in a friendly against The Old Barn. Paul Gibbs scored 59* and Aiden Miles 43 and with 49 extras, Aldwick reached 183-3.

Once Paul Butcher retired hurt on 30, only Jay Jay with 26 and Richard Barnett with 14 scored double figures. There were two wickets each for Dion Sampson, Ian Guppy and Lewis Parr.

Aldwick v Findon II

Aldwick put in their best performance of the August Cup but still lost by 16 runs.

Findon batted first and the star was Alex Stephens who carried his bat for 82, backed up by Callum Young (31) and Sam Mannings (31).

Findon totalled 195-6. Josh Kemp and debutant Matt Tozer each took two wickets.

Jamie Murphy (33) put on 50 for the fourth wicket with Rijo Raju (23). Simon Barter (21) and Ian Horner (20*) taking the score to 179-9.

Ryan Meighan and Sam Mannings each took two wickets and Simon Legge, took 1-5 in eight overs.

West Wittering Wolverines v Barns Green Belles

The Wolverines continued their winning streak as they hosted Barns Green Belles.

Asked to bat first, West Wittering posted 187-6 from their 20 overs with opener Fran Da Vall (21) setting foundations for in-form Denise Orford (59*) to post her season’s best.

In reply Barns Green provided good resistance finishing on 147-3, opener Katherine Hudson retiring on 40 not out.

It was West Wittering’s third win in a row in the Women’s Sussex Slam and with only one fixture remaining in the competition they are top. For their final fixture the Wolverines travel to the Steyning Sirens, captain Lauren Seath looking to cap a successful season with a win to all but seal the title.

Murray Springer memorial match at Walberton

Despite cool weather a good crowd turned up to watch the memorial match between Walberton CC and a Walberton Village Select XI playing as Murray’s Marauders – all in memory of local cricket legend Murray Springer.

Walberton CC, with a mixture of past and present players, batted first and scored 169-8 with MoM Nick Jackson top-scoring with 71.

In reply the Marauders, aided by four Walberton CC guests, made a gallant attempt to get the runs failing short by nine, with Tom Lockwood top scoring on 37 in a score of 160-6.

Murray’s twin brothers, Rodney and Anthony Springer, made the presentation.

Numerous private donations and the sale of raffle tickets and cream teas on the day mean the cost of supplying and fixing a memorial bench on the cricket ground has been raised and will be installed in time for the home match with Slindon this Sunday.

Chi Priory Park 4th v

Middleton Academy

This was a well-deserved win for Middleton, but the final score was respectable for Priory in the circumstances.

Middleton batted very well. Pick of the bunch were Gamblin (129) and Carter M (56) and Chadwick (48).

The Middleton openers took advantage of some rusty opening overs. Both opening bowlers returned later in better form, controlling a late charge by the academy.

The pace was slowed by the guile of Smith, who hit the spot on regular occasions. Middleton finished on 264 for three.

The sun broke through as Tom Baily started an eight-over spell which earned him a wicket.

The Priory innings was no negative blocking affair. Batsmen took the field determined that they would bat well. Standouts in the total of 190-8 were Price (24), (40), and Naik (46).

Goodwood v Chichester Priory Park

Players took time before the game to remember the enormous contribution to cricket at Chichester Priory Park of people who have passed away recently – notably Nigel Smith, Geoff Alder and John Saunders.

Mike Smith and Matt Bennison opened for Goodwood. Bennison was replaced by Kevin Rich, seen off by a fine catch by Glen Stanford.

Dan Brown (20) and John Heyworth (15) provided support but Smith as the main man and finished on 138 not out – a fantastic effort and the highest individual score made at Goodwood since John Court’s 142 in 1968.

Pick of the Chi bowlers were Elliot Smith (2-24) and F Gee (2-45).

During tea, Richard Geffen and Matt Geffen were presented with awards by Tim Gregory, chairman of Chichester Priory Park CC, for contributions during this season. The work both have put in this year to get cricket played, while supporting junior cricket and both clubs in general, is phenomenal.

In reply, Peter Lamb and Andrew Burrows helped the score to 77 by the 13th over. Stanley Mayne (4-30) dismissed the top three of Lamb (43), Burrows (38) and Halsted (17).

A fine spell from Matt Geffen (3-17) meant Goodwood were on top but Elliot Scott (27*) andA Lowther (47*) put on a super 73 won it for Chichester with a ball to spare.