MATT MAKES APPLICATION COUNT

AUSSIE IMPORT Matt Paul scored a solid 53 during 82 minutes at the crease for Worthing on a dry and dusty Fulking wicket on Saturday. But it was in a losing cause with Worthing able to post only 161 for eight against the powerful, reportedly financially advantaged promotion seekers of Preston Nomads.

Paul provided the necessary watchfulness and hit a six and just three fours . His 50 came off 129 balls and he was out to one of three catches by wicketkeeper Steve Snell.

Only Dave Rogers, the young wicketkeeper making runs for the 2nd XI, and 17-year-old colt Alex Harris could stay around to develop Paul's theme.

Harris struck four fours in his sensible and confidence-boosting 28 off 61 deliveries. He put on 50 with Paul for the third wicket after the early departure of John Kaye and the, this season, more consistent Dave Marshallsay.

Rogers, who has a wide repertoire of strokes, selected them well in just under an hour for his 31, also with four fours. He was joined by Danny Barton and they added 24 for the sixth wicket, then Rogers were out chasing quick runs.

Senior batsmen Kaye and Andy Lutwyche both fell cheaply to deliveries that kept low and head of cricket Lutwyche said: "The wicket was two-paced but our total was not a competitive one. Nomads' batsmen chanced their arm.

"Matt and Russell Brown bowled well and we did well to keep defeat to a three-wicket margin. Snell made a hundred against us in the previous meeting and fellow opener Hugo Shephard a 150."

Ian Higgins, Worthing's new bowler thought out Snell after he had scored 56 off only 46 deliveries, with seven fours, and Brown caught-and-bowled Shephard for 29.

Kaye was unable to keep wicket owing to a hand injury and Lutwyche unable to bowl more than one over thanks to a side strain. Worthing were without unavailable all-rounder Ben Shelford and pace bowler who bats, Chris Mansell.

Lutwyche hinted that there would be a change of captaincy, with new ideas, after seven seasons of either he or Kaye leading the side.