Priory Park Produce Complete Team Performance to Defeat Ansty by Seven Wickets
Chichester Priory Park delivered a dominant all-round display to record a convincing seven-wicket victory over Ansty CC, collecting 30 valuable Sussex Cricket League points after dismissing the hosts for 127 before cruising to their target in just 21.2 overs.
After losing the toss and being asked to field, Priory Park's bowlers wasted little time taking control of the contest. Andrew Crookham struck in the second over to remove Luke Wood before Elijah Stead dismissed Jarod Van Blerk, reducing Ansty to 5 for 2 and immediately putting the home side under pressure.
Josh Kirk (26) and Leo Anderson (18) rebuilt patiently, while Lewis Evans briefly counter-attacked with a fluent 25, but Priory Park never allowed Ansty to gain any real momentum. Owen Harris claimed the key wickets of Anderson and Evans, while Crookham returned to remove Robert Scott after another disciplined opening spell.
The standout performance came from Mike Smith, whose superb figures of 3 for 18 from seven overs, including three maidens, halted Ansty's middle order and ensured the innings never recovered. Elliot Scott was equally impressive, conceding just 13 runs from nine overs while picking up a wicket, and Tim Wergan added another breakthrough as Ansty were bowled out for 127 in 44.2 overs. The fielding matched the quality of the bowling, with Priory Park taking every chance offered to maintain pressure throughout the innings.
Requiring only 128 for victory, Priory Park's reply was positive from the outset. Toby Toft gave the innings an excellent start, striking five boundaries in a brisk 24 from 27 balls before falling with the score on 40.
The foundations were then laid by Tim Wergan and Simon Hasted, who combined in an assured partnership that effectively settled the contest. Wergan led the way with a classy 51 from 51 deliveries, his innings featuring eight boundaries and a six, while Hasted contributed a composed 20 from 32 balls to keep the scoreboard moving.
Although both departed after the target was firmly within reach, Elijah Stead ensured there would be no late drama. His unbeaten 24 from just 14 deliveries, including three fours and a six, provided the perfect finish as Priory Park raced to 130 for 3 with more than 23 overs remaining. Sean Dobbs remained unbeaten alongside him as the winning runs were scored.
The victory was built on contributions across every department. The bowlers combined accuracy with discipline to restrict Ansty to a below-par total, the fielders supported them superbly, and the batting line-up chased confidently and aggressively to complete a comprehensive win.
**Player of the Match** goes to **Mike Smith**, whose outstanding spell of 3 for 18 helped dismantle the Ansty batting line-up and laid the platform for an emphatic Priory Park victory.
Chichester Priory Park CC 2nd XI pulled off one of the shocks of the season on Saturday, producing a superb all-round display to defeat league leaders Southwater 1st XI by 54 runs at Goodwood.
Entering the match 9th in the table, with Southwater sitting proudly at the summit, few would have backed Chichester to come away with maximum points. However, a composed batting effort followed by a relentless bowling performance secured a memorable victory and handed the hosts a huge boost in their fight for survival.
After Southwater won the toss and elected to field, Chichester knew the importance of a steady start, in their effort to post a decent total. Ollie Greenlees 20 and Matthew Croker 51 did just that with the first wicket falling after 9.3 overs with the score on 41. Matthew Croker continued, ably supported by Hubbard 15. When Hubbard fell, star batsman McCarthy shifted the momentum firmly in Chichester’s favour, smashing an aggressive 58 from just 55 balls, including five boundaries and two sixes. His positive approach lifted the scoring rate at exactly the right time and ensured Chichester posted what looked to be a competitive 197.
There were valuable supporting contributions throughout the innings. While wickets fell at regular intervals, Chichester continued to find important runs and reached a total that gave their bowlers something to defend.
If the batting had laid the foundations, the bowling and fielding completed the job in outstanding fashion. Chichester never allowed Southwater to settle, applying pressure from the very first over and regularly breaking partnerships whenever the visitors threatened to build momentum.
Hobkirk removed the leagues danger batsman in Mills with a sharp delivered edged to slip caught well by Heaven. Lowther from the other end seamed a ball back hitting top of off stump, ball of the day to remove the two opening batsmen and leave the chasers 26-2. Southwater rebuilt the innings and at 88-2 looked to be in command of proceedings. Finlay Rustell broke the partnership and was exceptional, finishing with four crucial wickets and removing several key batsmen to swing the game firmly in Chichester’s favour.
James Mayne bowled well, and Johnny heaven also claimed two wickets, producing another influential spell that left the league leaders struggling to keep pace with the required rate.
Chichester backed up their bowling with excellent work in the field, taking catches at important moments and maintaining pressure throughout. The visitors were eventually dismissed for 143 in the 38th over, sealing a deserved 54-run victory.
The result represents far more than just 30 points. To beat the side that began the day top of the table is a real statement from Chichester and demonstrates the quality within the squad when every department clicks together. With the battle at the bottom of the table intensifying, this victory could prove to be a defining moment in Chichester’s season. If they can carry this confidence and intensity into the remaining fixtures, they have every chance of climbing away from the relegation places.
Next week they play Arundel CC away in a crucial bottom of the table clash.
Match report for 3's, Chi 3rd XI visited Slinfold this week looking to get back to winning ways.
One coin toss later and Slinfold opted to make use of the good looking wicket and batted first on a warm day.
The ever dependable Kushnood and Patil opened up and between them soon accounted for both openers to leave the hole side on 20-2, enter Mustafa and DeSilver who batted steadily to rebuild and took the score to 140 before the partnership was broken by Rohit Patel in his returning spell, with some tight bowling and excellent fielding from Harry Randell & Hanif Shakoori the pressure built and regular wickets fell at both ends, Slinfold finished on 207-6, Rohit Patil the pick o the bowlers with 3-30, ably supported by Saqib Kushnood 2-42, Oscar Cliiford Brown bowled with good control and Ewan Edwards was miserly conceding only 15 runs from his 6 overs.
In reply Slinfold needed early wickets, however Alex Burrows was in no mood to comply and soon set about the opening bowling with some sumptuous drives to put on 50 with Jes Goode before the 1st wicket fell, Goode was then joined by Edwards who carried on after a cracking hundred last week and batted with poise and control to take score to 123 before the partnership was broken.
Goode bowled for 47, Edwards followed soon after to the bowling of Ranson for 44 however after a flurry of boundaries from Stu Gillet, it was left to Elliot Goode, and Harry Randell, 44 and 13 not out respectively to finish to job for a solid 6 wicket win for Chichester.
Chi face Southwater in Priory Park next week.
Kuntze's unbeaten half-century seals superb Priory Park comeback
Ben Kuntze produced a match-winning unbeaten 57 as Chichester Priory Park 4th XI recovered from early trouble to defeat Chippingdale 3rd XI by four wickets in Division 11 West (South) on Saturday.
After Chippingdale elected to bat, Priory Park's bowlers kept the visitors under pressure throughout the innings. Rupert Gillett was the standout performer, claiming an excellent 3 for 21 from five overs, while Musawer Kashifi picked up two key wickets and Guy Montgomery struck twice with the new ball. Oscar Dutton and Todd Trundle also chipped in with a wicket apiece as Chippingdale were dismissed for 173 in 37.4 overs.
The chase began nervously as Priory Park slumped to 74 for 6, despite Todd Trundle battling hard for 34. With the match slipping away, Kuntze and Dutton produced a remarkable turnaround.
Showing composure beyond their years, the pair added an unbroken century for the seventh wicket, taking the game away from Chippingdale. Kuntze was outstanding, striking nine boundaries in an unbeaten 57 from just 44 balls, while Dutton provided the perfect foil with a calm 35 not out. Their match-winning stand of 101 guided Priory Park to 175 for 6 with five balls remaining.
It was a tremendous all-round team performance, but the cool-headed partnership between Kuntze and Dutton will live longest in the memory, turning a precarious position into a deserved victory and another valuable 30 league points for Chichester.