Young back in old routine as cricket season reaches full swing in West Sussex

Local cricket friendlies are well under way as teams across West Sussex swing into action. Here are the latest reports.

Aldwick v Littlehampton

Aldwick all-rounder John Young starred in a comfortable victory against Littlehampton.

Young’s three for 15 was a main contributing factor to the visitors final total of just 103. C Heberliein (29) and A Peters (24) made vital contributions for the visitors but wickets from Declan Belcher, Grant Wilson and a scintillating five-over spell from Joel Lodge (5-2-6-4) put Aldwick in charge.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the bat, Young top-scored with 27, and with good support from Ollie Smith (25) and Adam Rutter (17), and Aldwick won by four wickets, which bodes well for their league campaign.

Rottingdean V Aldwick II

When Aldwick II start their league campaign next month it is unlikely they will face a team as strong as their Rottingdean opponents and despite losing by 95 runs there were some good Aldwick performances.

Rottingdean made 237 for five. Jonny Knapp (2-26) was easily the visitors’ top bowler but wickets from Alex Cooper, Andy Atkins and Dan Cox helped to restrict the home side.

The home side’s attack made early inroads but the visitors showed defiance with knocks from Leigh Monk (27) and Andy Atkins (20) as Aldwick finished on 142 for eight from 40 overs.

Froxfield v Lavant

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Instead of the usual four-sweater game in bitterly-cold conditions expected this early in the year, the ground was bathed in glorious sunshine.

Froxfield chose to bat and set off their innings with aggressive intent.

Lavant took the first two wickets before the score reached 30 when one of the batsmen played on to Rawnsley and the other was caught behind by a diving catch off Stross.

After that, Froxfield took control.

A dropped catch at second slip didn’t help Lavant’s cause and although Nicholls and Stevens took wickets, Froxfield amassed 249 for four.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lavant got off to a poor start with none of the top three able to cope with either the Froxfield pace from one end or the spin from the other.

Lavant were soon 11 for three with the runs drying up and were fighting for survival. Burford and Nicholls gave respectability to the score as Froxfield rested their opening bowlers until Burford was run out pushing for the third run.

Nicholls and Dale batted out nearly 16 overs until both wickets fell within a few balls. With three overs left Froxfield needed four wickets to win the game which they very nearly achieved but Lavant managed to eke out a draw with one wicket to spare.

Tillington v VCC

Tillington began the season with an emphatic nine-wicket victory over north London touring side VCC.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

VCC won the toss and batted but were soon in trouble at 32 for four after good opening spells from Quinn Murray and Darren Hodd.

Dom Groves continued the good work by taking three wickets including skipper Hurd for 28. With partners running out Stuart took the game to Tillington and when Murray came back on to remove the No11 batsman, he was left unbeaten on 42.

Murray took three for 13 and was supported well by Groves 3-35 and Darren Hodd two for 25. Matt Hall (1-19) and Dan Thisleton (1-21) also chipped in as VCC were all out for 123 off 40 overs.

There were a couple of early scares for Tillington but a century opening stand by Matt Hall (52) and Steve Hodd (64 not out) ensured an easy victory.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Graham Westmore (6) was also not out as Tillington finished on 127 for one.

Don’t miss the Obsaerver this week (April 28) for a preview of the league cricket season looking at who’s in and out and what lies ahead for our top local sides.