Win over Arundel keeps up Bognor's pursuit of leaders Findon

Keelan Shoulders (22) and Joe Bain could muster an opening stand of only 17 as Graham Bush ran tirelessly into the wind without any luck.

Bognor had to rely on an Arundel mix-up to claim their first wicket as Michael Spaseski and Josh Seward ran out Bain.

Jim Lee (2-26) worked his magic with a deadly spell of pace and bounce, dismissing Ally James and Rohan Ardley for single figures.

Another error from Arundel lead to Shoulder’s departure as Bognor claimed another run-out.

Rob Willway (4-35) entered the fray making an immediate impact claiming the wickets of Mark Barry and Harrison Temple in quick succession.

Willway continued to cause havoc, leaving Arundel in serious trouble at 89 for nine.

However, a last wicket stand of 30 between Matthew Reynolds (29*) and veteran Neil Chitty (15) frustrated Bognor.

Some extravagant shots from Reynolds pushed Arundel along before a third run-out brought the end of the innings and Arundel were 119 all out.

Bognor openers Max Ashmore (18) and Elliott Clarke (31) looked comfortable as they propelled Bognor to 59 before they fell.

Some testing bowling from Keelan Shoulders (2-30) and Paddy Horne (1-33) put Bognor under decent pressure as they looked to negotiate this low total.

But it was Rob Willway (25*) and Oliver Handson (26*) who settled the result as Bognor cruised to a seven-wicket win and remain in the hunt for promotion.

Arundel were unfortunate to depart without a point and are now looking over their shoulder at the prospect of relegation.

Bognor remain second but are 43 points behind Findon with only three games left to play.

At Pagham, Steyning were invited to bat on a damp wicket and were soon in trouble at 36 for four. But good knocks of 48 from H Jones and 45 from Dave Browning saw them recover to a respectable 178 all out.

As in most matches this season, Mike Hales was outstanding - finishing with six for 56 from 15 accurate overs of seam bowling.

Pagham made their customary disastrous start, losing their first three wickets for nine runs. A belligerent 31 from Wayne Green brought a recovery but another collapse saw them reach 67 for seven.

Some hard hitting from Billy Turner-Hogg (42) and Mark Ross (34) saw the home side within reach of an unlikely victory but two quick wickets from S Grant saw Pagham fall 15 short.

Pagham did pick up 13 bonus points which saw them close the gap with Arundel to only three points - heralding a nerve-wrenching last three games.

Bognor seconds held Arundel to a draw that keeps them in third position in the second XI devision.

Bognor made 216 all out, Ryan Maskell top-scoring with a brisk 67.

Arundel’s innings progressed steadily and they finished on 209 for seven, Josh Broad leading the attack with two for 47.