Angmering seal 13th consecutive divisional title

The five divisional winners compete over a series of weekends, and West Division champions Angmering overcame Central Division winners Lindfield, East Division Stone Cross and North Division Fletching, in the final, to claim the trophy for the 15th time.

In the final, played at Nutley, Angmering won the toss and inserted their opponents, who made 99 all out in 21 overs. Rachel Knott claimed 4-40, Kelly Finneran 4-37, which included 3-6 in the 21st over, and Connie Chapman grabbed two superb run outs to remove the opening batsmen.

Angmering then cruised home in nine overs and scored 109-1 as Melissa Mantle and Karen Harmer hit 58 and 20 not out respectively, and Maxine Chapman added 20

It capped another superb season, in which Angmering have won the West Division, Sussex KO Cup and championship and the mini league.

They were runners-up in the Seaford tournament, where they suffered their only competitive defeat of the season, on the final delivery to Horsham.

Highlights of the season included Connie Chapman’s 76 against Horsham, and Maxine’s Chapman’s 165 against Horsted Keynes. Bowling-wise, Finneran took 8-32 against Chiddingly and Sophie Parnell grabbed 6-29 against Winterfold, and 7-55 against Horsham. The most improved player has been 14-year-old Anna Parnell.

Captain Mantle said: “The secret to our success is that the girls like each other and play as a team.

“Each player has a role and responsibility and if somebody fails, there is always somebody to step up to the task. Our players range from nine to 66 years old, but age makes no difference because we play as a unit.”