Chichester Priory Park took another significant step towards securing a play-off place on Saturday, producing a composed all-round performance to defeat Findon by six wickets at Goodwood.
After putting Findon into bat, Chichester’s bowling attack quickly settled into its work. The hosts kept the pressure on throughout the innings, restricting Findon’s scoring and ensuring that partnerships never developed into anything substantial.
Tom Symington led the attack superbly, claiming 4-38 from 8.5 overs and playing a major role in dismantling the Findon batting line-up. He was well supported by Andrew Crookham, whose outstanding spell of 2-8 from nine overs kept the scoring firmly under control. Having Findon 35-5 at the first drinks break, hopes were high for an embarrassing low Findon score. Tim Wergan and Mike Smith also contributed two wickets apiece as Chichester’s disciplined bowling display saw Findon dismissed for 123 in 42.5 overs.
Although 123 was a below par target, Chichester knew the importance of batting sensibly and avoiding any unnecessary complications. The reply got off to a steady start, with the top order laying the foundations for a successful chase.
Tim Wergan made a valuable contribution with 25 before departing, but the innings was ultimately anchored by an excellent unbeaten half-century from Elijah Stead. Stead produced a composed 64 not out from 56 balls, controlling the chase and ensuring that Findon were never given an opportunity to build any sustained pressure.
Mike Smith provided excellent support at the other end, finishing unbeaten on 28 from 25 deliveries. The pair guided Priory Park over the line, with Chichester reaching 128-4 in just 24.2 overs to secure a convincing six-wicket victory.
The result was about more than simply beating the team at the foot of the table. With the play-off race reaching its crucial stages, every league point matters, and Chichester’s maximum haul of 30 points leaves them just eight points short of securing the play off position.
It was another professional performance from Priory Park, with the bowlers setting up the victory before Stead and Smith ensured there was no late drama in the chase. The result continues Chichester’s strong run towards the business end of the season and puts them within touching distance of achieving their play-off ambition.
Next week, Priory Park face another important fixture as they travel away to Slinfold. With the play-off place now within reach, Chichester will be looking to build on Saturday’s performance and collect the points required to complete their objective.
With the season entering its final stages, Priory Park can now look ahead knowing that just eight more points stand between them and confirmation of a play-off place.
The job is not quite finished, but Saturday’s performance moved Chichester another major step closer.
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Chichester Priory Park 2nd XI continued their strong end to the season with an impressive seven-wicket victory away at West Wittering, producing a dominant all-round performance to take the full 30 points.
After winning the toss and electing to field, Chichester could hardly have asked for a better start. Alex Lowther struck in the opening over, removing Jake Irwin-Brown without scoring, before the visitors continued to apply pressure. Lowther and George Hobkirk reduced West Wittering to 14-2, and wickets continued to fall regularly as the hosts found themselves in serious trouble at 48-5.
West Wittering were eventually rescued by an excellent innings from Ollie Small, who batted through the majority of the innings for an unbeaten 77. Martin Lee provided useful support with 39 as the pair helped the hosts recover to a more competitive 174-8 from their 40 overs.
It was a disciplined bowling performance throughout from Chichester. Chichester needed overs with Lowther sustaining an injury and batter Alistair Derry stepped up to be the pick of the bowlers with 3-26 from six overs towards the end of the innings, while James Mayne picked up two wickets on a turning track. Lowther, Hobkirk and Finlay Rustell also claimed a wicket apiece as Chichester ensured West Wittering were never able to completely break free.
In reply, Chichester approached the chase positively. Sean Dobbs led the way with an excellent 58 from 72 balls, including nine fours and a six, giving the innings a strong foundation for victory against a hostile wittering side. Matthew Croker added 15 and Rehan Meiring 13 as Chichester kept themselves comfortably ahead of the required rate.
After Dobbs retired not out, Derry capped an excellent individual performance with an unbeaten 33 from just 37 balls, striking six boundaries. Ollie Greenlees joined him late on and helped see the chase through, finishing unbeaten on eight as Chichester passed their target at 178-3 from 32.3 overs.
A thoroughly convincing performance from the 2nd XI, with contributions throughout the side and a comfortable chase completing an excellent seven-wicket win and maximum 30-point haul.
Chi Three’s narrowly miss out despite Goode’s 168no
Chi 3's hosted an in form Barns Green this Saturday and had no hesitation in batting first on a good looking park in the Park, despite an quick start with the bat Danny Conway struck early having Hubbard smartly stumped down the leg side with the score on 33, from there Jes Goode and Matt Sharpe set about rebuilding the innings and patiently waited for anything offline from the bowlers which could be punished, taking the score to 94 before Sharpe was well bowled by Hallet, Elliot Goode arrived and showed good intent before being well caught at Mid wicket with the total at 154, Jes Goode was joined by Stu Gillet and the experienced pair ran well and with Gillet particularly strong on anything short it left Goode to quietly accumilate, with a quick outfield the score raced along. Gillet would fall for 42 from 25 balls again to youngster Henry Hallet who was the pick of the Barns Green bowlers finishing with 2-50. The Chi innings finished on 283-4 with Jes Goode unbeaten on 168 after carrying his bat through the innings.
In reply Barns Green started with 2 left handers, Chris Bailey & Steve Gent who raced the score raced to 50 before Matt Brown struck to remove Bailey, John Hudson however was in similar mood and was powerful down the ground & with Gent took the score beyond 100, it was however the introduction on Oli Davidson and his off spin that put the brakes on and after bowling Hudson for 26 the game for a short while was in the balance. It was a this point that the left hand / right hand combination of opener Gent and Harry Thompson put together a solid partnership & took control , running well and putting pressure back on the bowlers, anything slightly off line was punished and added just short of 150 for the 3rd wicket before the partnership was broken with Gent falling 3 short of a Hundred. It was left to Harry Thompson and Henry Hallet to get BG over the line, reaching their target of 283 with 2 overs to spare for a deserved win . Matt Brown the most economical of the Chi Bowlers with 1-46 from his 8 overs. 3rd placed Chi travel next to 2nd place Petworth Park with all to play for.
4s were away to top of the table Lancing Manor on an interesting ground.
After losing the toss, Guy Montgomery and Ben Kuntze started strongly, giving very little away.
However, Dan Blackman(120) slowly took charge, supported by Nick Brown(55) and as 4s wilted in the sun, Darren Radford(89*) made them pay for their dropped catches.
Lancing Manor posted a daunting 301-4.
Chichester started brightly before losing Phillipo(9) and Bennison(32). O'Flinn(15) as acceleration was cut short.
Matt Betteridge knuckled down making an excellent 50 before being strangled down the legside, followed by the unlucky Kuntze(27). But Trundle(38*) and Gillett(45) took the fight to Lancing, with Chichester's reply a credible 222-6.
4XI are in Priory Park hosting Pagham next Saturday.