The only way is up for Chichester

Having been put into bat in their Sussex Premier League clash by hosts Preston Nomads, the Chichester aggressive opening pair of Bamford and Kirkham firmly put them on the back foot crashing a number of glorious strokes off the opening attack.

The breakthrough came when Bamford played on to Owen Kernan for a quickfire 20. This bought Australian Academy player Ashton Turner to the crease and the momentum increased further with the stylish pair taking the total to 125 for one after just 23 overs.

The momentum was soon lost when Turner played on for 34, which signalled a collapse for the visitors, who soon found themselves 160 for six. Kirkham was the shining light departing for a superb 91 when he misjudged a delivery from Patrick Spencer (5-82).

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Some late blows from Justin Scott took Priory Park to a total of 211 all out with the big man from Bognor unbeaten on an encouraging 22.

The visitors were light in the bowling department, particularly up top, and despite a few chances lacked the firepower at the start of the home side’s innings.

The young fielding unit had to wait until the 12th over to get their breakthrough, by which time the chasers had raced on to 64.

A superb partnership between Angus Stewart (102*) and David Smith dampened the hopes of a Chichester win and despite a few quick wickets from spin duo Turner and Bamford, the home side cruised to victory with 11 overs spare.

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It was a disappointing result, but all was not lost as Priory Park took ten points from the game.

They will look ahead to a potential 60-point weekend this week to take them away from the bottom of the league - they host Brighton and the Sussex Development XI on Saturday and Sunday.