Chichester 1XI travelled away to Rustington looking to continue their positive start to the season. After winning the toss, Chichester skipper Mike Smith elected to bat first on what appeared to be a high-scoring ground, with a fast outfield offering plenty of value for shots.
Openers Tim Wergan and Toby Toft got Chichester off to a positive start, finding the boundary regularly and putting the pressure on the Rustington bowlers. However, Wergan was soon dismissed, giving Rustington their first breakthrough. A second wicket followed shortly afterwards, leaving Chichester 62-2 and needing a partnership to rebuild the innings.
Stead joined Toft at the crease and the pair began to steady the ship, putting together a valuable partnership and taking the score forward. Stead eventually fell for a well-made 28, bringing Chichester captain Mike Smith to the middle.
Smith played an important supporting role as Toft continued to dominate, eventually bringing up a superb maiden league century. Toft’s innings was an excellent display of controlled attacking batting, combining boundaries with good running between the wickets. He eventually departed for a magnificent 114, having laid the foundations for what Chichester hoped would be a winning total.
Smith followed soon after for a valuable 39, with Lewis Hawes coming to the crease. Hawes showed great composure as wickets continued to fall around him, remaining unbeaten on an impressive 40*. His contribution ensured Chichester pushed their total to 281 all out, a score that felt competitive and around par given the conditions on the day.
With 282 required for victory, Chichester began the defence hoping that early pressure with the ball would bring quick wickets. The opening spell produced an outside edge that unfortunately went to ground, allowing Rustington to settle into their innings.
Rustington made a flying start, taking 16 runs from the second over and putting the Chichester bowlers immediately under pressure. However, Chichester responded in the very next over, with Crookham attracting a leading edge to claim the first wicket and give the visitors some much-needed momentum.
Rustington’s overseas player then arrived at the crease and quickly changed the complexion of the chase. He produced an outstanding innings of 94 from just 67 balls, attacking the Chichester bowling and keeping the required run rate comfortably within reach.
Despite the pressure, Chichester continued to take wickets at regular intervals and refused to let Rustington run away with the chase. West and Chapman both made valuable contributions during the middle and latter stages of the innings, with 77 runs scored between them, while wickets continued to fall around them.
Despite Chichester’s continued efforts with the ball, Rustington’s batting depth proved enough to see them over the line. They eventually chased down the target in the 41st over, securing the victory.
Although the result did not go Chichester’s way, there were plenty of positives to take from the performance. Toft’s maiden league century, Hawes’ unbeaten 40 and contributions throughout the batting order gave Chichester a competitive total, while the bowling attack continued to fight despite Rustington’s strong chase.
Chichester take 14 points from the fixture and remain firmly focused on their quest for the top of the table. Next week, Chichester return home to take on Findon, looking to build on what has been a very positive season so far and get back to winning ways.
Chichester Priory Park CC 2XI produced a dominant all-round performance, cruising to a huge victory over Crawley Eagles CC after a stunning batting display was headlined by an outstanding unbeaten 179 from Matthew Croker.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Priory Park immediately set about building a formidable total.
Croker batted through the entire 40 overs, he smashed 179 not out from just 130 deliveries, including 27 boundaries, his innings provided the foundation for a total that ultimately proved far beyond Crawley Eagles’ reach.
Supported by Sean Dobbs 10, Ben Hubbards brisk 13 from 10 balls before falling to Ayaan Khizer, while Alistair Derry contributed an excellent 44 from 44 balls, striking six boundaries.
The acceleration came in spectacular fashion when Ollie Greenlees arrived at the crease. Greenlees launched an explosive 56 from just 27 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 207.41.
Arran Goode then provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 18 from 11 balls, leaving Priory Park on an imposing 339/4 from their 40 overs.
Crawley Eagles’ chase never really got going. Martin Ford, and Alex Lowther picked up early wickets and adding further pressure
Ayaan Khizer struggled to make an impact, eventually falling to Ford for just 1 from 24 balls, while Lowther claimed the wicket of Falah Uddin for 10.
Mohammad Bilal Khan attempted to steady the innings with 25 from 45 balls, but his dismissal via a run out by Ollie Greenlees left Crawley in serious trouble.
Arslan Khawaja made 10 before James Mayne claimed his wicket, and Mayne struck again shortly afterwards to dismiss Zulfiqar Ali for a team-high 30.
The wickets continued to fall as Priory Park’s bowlers maintained control. Jonathan Heaven removed Asif Shad for 5, before Ford completed an impressive spell by dismissing Muhammed Arif for a duck.
Alex Lowther then returned to claim the final wicket, removing Muhammad Umar for a duck and leaving Shahzad Ali stranded on 15 not out.
Crawley Eagles were eventually bowled out for just 114 in 31.4 overs, falling 225 runs short of Priory Park’s mammoth total.
By Matt Crocker
Chi 3XI impress with win at Brighton
Chi 3’s travelled to Brighton this week and were invited to bat on another warm day.
Jes Goode & Toby Lewis opened the batting and settled against the opening attach and took the score to 57 before Lewis was smartly caught behind, young legspinner Holdaway then quickly snared 2 further wickets to leave the game in the balance at 70-3 & Brighton sensing an opportunity. Goode & Gillett however set about rebuilding and ticked the score along on a decent pitch and a lightning outfield. The experienced pair rotated the strike nicely with Gillet in particular scoring quickly against anything wayward, as the score passed 200 it looked like a long day in the field, however accurate left arm bowling from
Breslau-Buxton bowled Goode for 89 to split the partnership, Gillett well caught on the boundary shortly after for a solid 76, with tails up Brighton restricted really well to take the remaining Chi wickets cheaply, the innings closing on 227 just short of 38 overs. Breslau-Buxton returning impressive figures of 6-42 from
His 7 overs.
In reply Brighton started well adding 74 before Toby Lewis struck, bowling opener Howick up the hill for 33, it was however the introduction of Oscar Clifford Brown that changed momentum, bowling with decent energy the young off spinner took the wickets of Brighton & Hove captain Stepney Warburyon for 46 and 24 respectively.
In a similar fashion to the Chi innings wickets followed at regular intervals, however with Spink batting well for 50 and Breslau-Buxton scoring quickly also the target or 227 was in sight. Enter Toby Lewis to break the partnership by bowling Spink with only 35 to win, tight bowling and a chaotic run out saw more wickets tumble, Brighton eventually bowled out for 203 in the 39 overs.
Whilst opening bowlers Rohit Patil and Saqiib Kushnood were miserly as ever conceding only 51 between them in 15 overs - it was the young pair of Clifford brown 3 wickets and the accuracy of Toby Lewis 5-40 that really turned the screw and won the game for Chi.
By Jes Goode
Chi 4XI take crucial win in the Park.
4s needing a win the help with their relegation struggle, entertained Broadwater 3s on a hot steamy day in Priory Park. After winning the toss Captain Buck elected to bat on a typical shirt front, with a lightning quick outfield.
The openers got off to a quick start with Bennison harsh on any lose bowling, before being out for 28. Betteridge continued steadily, showing excellent concentration, after his dismissal on 33 wickets fell at regular intervals. At 119-7, a significant total was in doubt.
But up stepped Hodgson(36) who marshalled the tail and was ably supported by Brown(24) and Kashif(31), took the total to a competitive 211 ao.
In reply Broadwater started watchfully against the guile of Montgomery, before Edwards took his aggression out, making a well earned 55.
With the game slipping away, Buck brought Trundle on, and Hodgson back into the attack. Trundle proved hard to get away, whilst Hodgson was unplayable, ripping through the Broadwater resistance, taking 5 for 2 in the space of 8 balls, and wrapping up their innings on 185. An excellent win, keeping their hopes of safety alive. MoM Willem Hodgson.
By Graeme Bennison