West Wittering march on - Bognor complete thrilling Brighton chase

West Wittering and Bognor were among local cricket teams to continue their fine 2022 Sussex League form. We have news of both here, plus reports from Aldwick CC.
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West Wittering v Middleton 2nd - Division 4 West

On a green deck which promised an even contest, West Wittering won the toss and elected to bat.

Middleton opening bowlers Fergus Kenyon (3-39) and Sam Bell (1-39) applied early pressure.

A breakthrough in Bognor's win over Brighton / Picture: Martin DenyerA breakthrough in Bognor's win over Brighton / Picture: Martin Denyer
A breakthrough in Bognor's win over Brighton / Picture: Martin Denyer
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Having struggled to 39-3, the WW ship was steadied with diligent batting from Zander Muir (20) and Jake Irwin-Brown (26). Aggressive counter attacking from Ted Bloomfield (51) turned the tide in the home team’s favour.

Despite tidy bowling from Charlie Terry (3-58), late cameos from Joe Pink (27) and Jordan Dear (27) took the hosts to 235 all out.

West Wittering took the initiative with Harry Staight (2-33) striking early. Chris Spedding (21) and Murry Carter (20) looked to regain control, before an excellent display from Spike Western (3-45) began to take the game away from Middleton.

Despite a nice 45, Phoenix Ashworth’s heroics were not enough and the visitors eventually falling 50 runs short,

West Wittering stay top.

Bognor v Brighton - Sussex Premier

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Bognor’s middle order batted exceptionally to chase 254 against Brighton on a flat deck at the Regis Oval.

Brighton elected to bat, with captain Bryce Hounsome (64) and James Degg (82) making hay, before the former was run out by Taylor Jaycocks to end a stand of 108.

A cluster of wickets followed, with Degg lbw to Joe Ashmore, before Oliver Collins hit a quick 50, before he was run out by Nick Ballamy. Brighton fell away from 244-4, declaring on what looked like a good score of 254-9.

A rapid start from Ballamy and Mike Harris (32) saw Bognor give themselves a chance, and despite two early wickets for Will Sheffield, the chase was on.

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Ashmore brought up 400 for the season with a well-crafted 58, supported by stand-in skipper Nick Stobart with 53, his first league 50 for the club.

After Stobart departed, Ben Woolnough struck a super 59 to keep Bognor on track – an innings even more impressive given the significance of the game.

Despite late wickets, Scott Bingham guided Bognor home by two wickets.

Bognor 2nd v Slinfold - Div 6 West

Bognor strengthened their position at the top of Division 6 West with a resounding win over Slinfold.

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Oli Handson’s 63, which included 33 off one over, was the top score in Bognor’s 262-9, with Sam Adams also chipping in with 47.

Bognor’s bowlers then got to work, demolishing Slinfold for 115, Adams taking 5-35.

Aldwick v Pagham 2nd - Division 6 West

Ex-Aldwick players Ed White, Richard Gabb and Jamie Murphy, now turning out for Pagham, all played a key part in defeating their former club by nine wickets.

Murphy (1-34) claimed the valuable scalp of top-scorer and Aldwick captain Alex Cooper (48) as the visitors batted bravely survivng 40 overs albeit to finish on a below-par 133 all out.

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Good knocks came from Ben Bambridge (37) and Tom Hoare (18) but Pagham's chief wicket takers, Wayne Green (3-40) and Nikki Tabberer (3-24) were main reason for the low total.

Secondly, after Ben Bambridge (1-25) removed Pagham opener Flynn Bennett (14), Richard Gabb joined Ed White and together they coasted to victory in the 20th over each batsman making an undefeated 53.

Goring 3rd v Aldwick 2nd - Div 12 West South

After a recent run of wins, Aldwick twos came up against a Goring side capable of rattling up a big score – and batting first they posted 237-8 from their 40 overs.

Rajendra Makkankri (74) top scored followed by contributions from Aidan Goodwin (33) and Sean McKeon (38).

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Despite the big total their were bowling successes for the visitors with Luke Adam taking 2-27 and Ryan Dawson 4-41 on his debut.

Goring's bowlers were also in good nick with Oliver Atterbury (5-30) taking a five-wicket haul with good support from James Clerk (2-8).

Only two Aldwick batsmen - Mark Lester (16) and Frankie Bigwood (18) - made double figures as they crashed to 96 all out loosing by a massive 141 runs.