Jagota hits 105 to seal Roffey's nine-wicket victory

Roffey lost ground on league leaders and local rivals Horsham despite beating Hastings by nine wickets.
Hastings Priory v Roffey cricket action - Roffey batsman Rohit Jagota SUS-140525-102644002Hastings Priory v Roffey cricket action - Roffey batsman Rohit Jagota SUS-140525-102644002
Hastings Priory v Roffey cricket action - Roffey batsman Rohit Jagota SUS-140525-102644002

They earned 22 points but slipped to 18 points behind Horsham in third place following their maximum 30-point victory over Preston Nomads.

Roffey won the toss and elected to field as Hastings made 206-6 in 58 overs.

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The visitors’ frustration could be understood by looking at their bowling figures.

Luke Barnard was Roffey’s top bowler, taking just 3-76, while George Fleming claimed 2-57.

Elliot Hooper was one of two centurions in the match, but the way he amassed his unbeaten 100 was painfully slow compared with Roffey’s Rohit Jagota, who took half as many balls (155) to reach his milestone.

In stark contrast, Jagota gave a marvellous display on the way to 105, made in just 77 balls. His innings lit up Horntye Park as it included 12 fours and five sixes.

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Jagota combined with Theo Rivers (84) to put on 197 for the first wicket.

After Rivers eventually fell, Usman Khan (10 not out) finished off the game for Roffey, reaching 207 for the loss of only one wicket.

Captain Matt Davies praised their batting display and was philosophical about their inability to bowl Hastings out.

He said: “It was obviously pleasing to get a win. I think Hastings is a difficult place to go to.

“Not many teams have beaten them at home this season.

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“It was a difficult pitch to bat on and there wasn’t much for the bowlers.

“Theo and Rohit batted really well and our bowlers stuck to it to restrict them to 200.

“It keeps us up there which is what we want to so, we want to be competing each week.

“We know Horsham are the big favourites for the title. We can only do what we can to win games.”

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Davies described the two centuries scored on the day as differently-made, but both good knocks.

He said: “Ellliot Hooper’s was a slower, more constructive innings. Rohit got his eye in for about 30 runs and then hit out.

“Luke Barnard bowled quite well but could bowl better, he just needs to keep bowling to get his rhythm.”

Roffey take on rivals Billingshurst at home this Saturday.

Davies said: “This is our biggest game of the season. There’s a lot more to it than just another league game - we’ve been playing them for years and really want to win.

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“They are struggling at the bottom end of the table, but they have good players and beat Worthing last weekend and are a threat.

“We will be taking nothing for granted and know we must play our best to stand a chance of beating them.”

Roffey’s overseas player Liam Gibson suffered a slight shoulder injury last weekend against Hastings and he is expected to recover in time to play in next weekend’s matches.

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