KIRKHAM STOP DENIES WORTHING VICTORY

CHRIS MANSELL'S two runs off the final ball of Worthing's innings tied the scores with Littlehampton on Saturday at the Manor Ground. Chris Kirkham's diving stop at point, by the rope, prevented a winning four or a three, with all Littlehampton's fielders back on the boundary.

Worthing had needed seven to win off Adam Tester's final over of the day.

Littlehampton captain Chris Hanks felt Worthing should have won the game. He said: "They needed about 15 off the final four or five overs. Gary and Adam Tester bowled the last 10 overs and did really well. Our goal at the beginning of the season was to not lose a game, and in the end it was a good draw."

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Worthing skipper and director of cricket, Andy Lutwyche, hit back over his head for six late on by the 15-year-old Luke Vintner, cracked: "That kind of game will bring the crowd back. We did well to get that near, really, after our only-average fielding had dropped some catches and given them about 20 runs. Vintner and Chris Hanks swung well through the line after they were 193 for nine."

Chris Mansell took six for 59 and was on a hat-trick '” as also last week '” when he dismissed Stuart Hanks and Stuart Stoneham. Lutwyche: "Chris has been due these wickets for three or four years.

"We went off at five an over and if Steve Pearse and Alex Harris had stayed in we'd have won it. They got us into position but then got out in quick succession. It was difficult then for the new batsmen to score runs quickly."

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