West Wittering celebrate promotion at the double

West Wittering v Ifield 3rd

Invitation League division five

West Wittering sealed promotion for the third season in a row with an emphatic win over Ifield thirds.

Wittering were asked to bat and had a lot to prove after a defeat the previous week. Prove themselves they did, with Mark Taylor (23), Carl Tupper (34), Mitch Hackshaw (27) all chipping in.

After a rain delay and an early tea, Richard Hammond (29) and Nigel Twiddy came out with intent, scoring quickly to take the score to 200. Twiddy, in his first appearance for the first XI, hit an unbeaten 57 at a quickrate.

Tupper called his team in in the 36th over with the score at 200 for six, giving Ifield 58 overs to reach the target.

With both teams needing a result, the weather was the biggest worry, but Wittering came out flying.

Alex Salmon (2-32) bowled excellently off a short run-up and Joe Pink continued his fine form with the ball. The first wicket fell with 14 on the board and wickets continued to fall quickly.

Pink combined with Tupper for two of his wickets and Kevin Allsobrook caught one off Salmon. Allsobrook (3-1) bowled full and straight and claimed three victims before coming off injured.

The unlikely bowling arm of Taylor (1-9) was tested and he who took the final wicket, sealing the victory - and other results in the league meant promotion for Wittering into division four for 2014.

West Wittering 2nd v Pulborough 3rd

Division ten

West Wittering’s seconds are also celebrating promotion at the end of only their second season in the league.

A 30-point win over Pulborough thirds sealed promotion to division nine by just one point. John Williams (23*) and Marc Slowey (30) top scored and skipper Steve Clunie claimed four wickets for just 19 runs.

East Preston v Selsey

Division one

Selsey’s scintillating comeback ensured victory over relegation rivals East Preston as they narrowed the gap to 16 points.

In overcast conditions, Selsey skipper Dave Benham decided to bowl first. He took two for 40 as East Preston reached 64 for three.

Despite Tim Miles’ 47, Selsey took regular wickets and reduced the hosts to 123 for six. East Preston staged a recovery after a rain delay thanks to Dan Williams (53) and Lucy Uncles (43) as they took their side to 206 for eight.

Spinner Tom Cripps (4-49) claimed Williams and Pete Horner (2-45) snared Uncles as East Preston posted 210 all out.

Rain during the tea break livened up the pitch. The ball zipped around for seamers Mark Coskin (1-37) and Jack Sunderland (6-78), who caused Selsey’s batsmen trouble.

Of the top seven, only Tim Fewster (18), Nick Horner (17) and James Chaloner (17) made double figures and Selsey plummeted to 84 for seven. Pete Horner and Tom Amis (26) put on 90 to dig their team out of the mire and reach 184 for eight.

Horner battled hard and took some blows but cashed in on anything pitched up and took on the spinners in his 78 off 59 balls. He fell with Selsey on 204 and seven runs short.

But last pair Cripps (14*) and Ed Fox (8*) held their nerve as Fox crashed the ball over mid-off for four to win.

Aldwick v Barns Green

Division three

Aldwick were asked to bat and solid performances from Dean Stokes (44), Ryan Hicks (39) and Adam Rutter (33) enabled Aldwick to declare at 213 for seven.

Ryan Johnson was Green’s best bowler with figures of three for 30.

Although they had 51 overs and a chance to avoid relegation, Barns Green never challenged Aldwick’s total. Matt Bassett (72*) and Trevor Courquin (25) helped Green to 177 for seven. Ollie Smith and Keelan Belcher each took three wickets.

Aldwick are still second in the league but need results to go their way if they are to achieve promotion in their first year in division three.

Storrington 2nd v Aldwick 2nd

Division seven

Storrington’s Steve Porter (49) top-scored in their 188 all out. Grant Wilson and Ben Bambridge each took three wickets.

Aldwick were never up with the rate and 18 from Grant Wilson, 14 each from Jordan Bist and Will Pegg took Aldwick only to 118 all out.

Tom Good’s four for 26 made him Storrington’s best bowler.