Sean and Struan Stir it up at Bognor

The latest action in division three west of the Sussex League saw Stirlands win the derby at Bognor and Pagham maintain top spot.
Stirland's capt Sean Heather

Picture by Louise Adams C130685-3 Spt Crick BogStirStirland's capt Sean Heather

Picture by Louise Adams C130685-3 Spt Crick BogStir
Stirland's capt Sean Heather Picture by Louise Adams C130685-3 Spt Crick BogStir

Bognor v Stirlands

Div three west

On an overcast day, Bognor won the toss and chose to field.

It was soon obvious the pitch was not going to be easy to bat on.

Stuart Hanks was the first go with 31 on the board from a ball that bounced sharply off a length. Will Gubbins joined Sean Heather and they doubled the score before Gubbins chipped one to mid-off.

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Anthony Ender came and went the same way and at 67 for three they needed a partnership. Nick Hunt joined Heather and in time they took the attack to the Bognor bowlers.

They put on 92 from around 100 balls and when Hunt was dismissed by a good ball that nipped back they felt the damage had been done.

Heather brought up his 100 from 137 balls before being dismissed with the score on 191. Stirlands were able to get to 200 with seven wickets down and immediately declared.

Charlie La Foret was the pick of the Bognor attack with two for 17 while Jim Lee worked hard for his two for 41.

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A steady start from Bognor’s openers La Foret and Mikey Harris was soon brought to an end by Struan Cameron.

Stirlands recognised spin was going to be difficult to play with enough turn that Cameron was able to move the ball off the straight.

Overseas bowler Anthony Butler could not find his rhythm so Heather brought on Ender. He and Cameron bowled in tandem for 16 overs and although Sam Taylor kept the scoreboard ticking along, Cameron kept taking wickets.

An impressive run-out from Ender helped reduce Bognor to 91 for six.

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Taylor (41) was stumped (run out) by Hanks off Cameron. Chris May bowled six tight overs and Cameron ended with seven for 41 from 18 overs.

Gubbins took the last wicket with an absolute jaffa that pitched on leg stump and hit off.

Stirlands took the full 30 points, Bognor four.

In the sides’ second XI clash at Birdham,Stirlands elected to bat but Bognor’s Richard Cox (3-46) and veteran Andy Lee (2-22) put them on the back foot. A counter-attacking innings from Michael Clowes (100) saw Stirlands declare on 216 for seven.

For Bognor, veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Ricky McIntosh top-scored with 37. With Joe Viner (4-40) picking away, last pair Andy McGregor and Jamie Woolnough held out at 180 for nine.

Steyning v Pagham

Sussex League division three west

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Promotion rivals Steyning were the latest to fall to the Pagham juggernaut thanks to an inspired bowling display and a courageous innings from captain Stuart Rutter.

Putting Steyning to bat, they reached 39 without loss before Michael Hales (3-22) and Nabib Rahaman (2-37) reduced them to 70 for five, both bowling with excellent control and swing.

Gary Hunt (31) and Ed Lamb set about repairing the damage before Sam Dickens (2-20) accounted for both in a seven-over burst.

The wickets fell quickly as Wayne Green (3-26) beat the bat with monotonous regularity, conceding just one run in 23 balls in his second spell, finishing Steying off for an under-par 121.

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Aware Steyning had a Sri Lankan professional opening bowler in their ranks, Pagham knew the job was only half complete.

They set off at a run rate in excess of six because of the attacking nature of the Pagham top order and the attacking field placings used by Steyning.

As runs flowed, wickets came regularly too: Jamaul Fernandez’s first-ball six setting the tone for what would be a fast and frantic innings. Chris Hayden (20) was comfortable until dismissed and Wayne Green (16) alongside Billy Turner Hogg (18) looked set to take the game away from Steyning before being dismissed looking for maximums.

Rutter (22no) played the match-winning innings, batting calmly and with composure to see the innings home when it was most required.

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A two-wicket victory means Pagham remain top. Wisborough Green visit Nyetimber Lane this week, with Pagham looking to make it four wins out of four.

Pagham seconds notched a tight victory over Steyning.

Pagham were 99 for seven at the halfway mark after 34 from Jake Stockdale. Thomas Kent (42no) and Peter Cotterill (31) took the score to 186 for nine.

Steyning could only reach 172 in reply, Thomas Kent (5-46) and Peter Cotterill (3-23) doing the most damage.

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