Bognor climb the Hill ... Priory left frustrated again

Here are the latest reports from both teams.

Burgess Hill v Bognor

Sussex League division three

IT WAS the proverbial 60-pointer at St John’s Park as Bognor cemented their position at the summit of division three.

The away side won the toss and made the positive decision to bat first on what seemed a slightly two-paced pitch.

Batsman had to toil and work overtime to get any reward – a refreshing change for bowlers who have had to endure the recent wrath of dominant batting displays.

Bognor opener Mikey Harris fell in the opening over, gifting George Willett (1-22) an easy caught-and-bowled chance to which he duly obliged.

In an innings of key partnerships for Bognor, Andrew Quincey (32) exercised his dashing strokeplay with an element of good fortune and, along with the stubborn resistance of Zayne Bux (57), they tamed the hungry Burgess Hill attack.

The pair took the score along to 62 for two before Bux was involved with another crucial partnership, this time with Elliott Clarke (67).

Steady bowling in the middle overs led by Peter Billinghay (5-57) with support from Jack Simpson (1-49) and some rather hostile disputes between fielders and batsman alike came as Bognor powered to 148 before the loss of Bux and their third wicket.

Clarke continued to bat with the middle and lower order as Bognor looked to push towards that magical 200 mark, but despite the best efforts of Bognor’s incoming batsman that target proved elusive. Bognor finished their 53 overs on 195 for eight.

Despite rumblings in the Burgess Hill camp that 195 would be below par, Bognor knew on a pitch with heaps to offer they would be in the midst of a contest.

Graham Bush (5-33) led the Bognor attack in reliable fashion, but it was Jim Lee (1-27) who drew first blood by dismissing Burgess Hill skipper Tom Trowbridge for nine.

Bush profited from a change of ends, taking two quick wickets on his return down the hill and with support from Charlie La Foret (3-31) they condemned Burgess Hill to 95 for six.

However, a counter-attacking innings from young Ben John (35) made Bognor work hard to earn a victory as time began to run out for the visitors.

With just three overs left, La Foret broke the stubborn Burgess Hill defence as he bowled John with a slower ball to the winning delight of the visitors.

Bognor claimed a vital victory and 28 points to extend their lead ahead of another tough away trip to East Sussex this week, when they go to Glynde and Beddingham.

Chichester Priory Park v Glynde

After three successive league defeats, Chichester Priory Park stopped the rot – but had to settle for a draw at home to Glynde.

Chichester won the toss and elected to bat on a flat-looking wicket.

Despite losing Matt Bennison for just two, Stuart Barker and Jolyon Dannatt batted positively and set the tone for the Chichester innings with a brisk 50 partnership.

Barker narrowly missed out on his first half-century for the club when he was controversially adjudged to have been stumped for 41 with the score on 75.

Australian Dan Weigl showed his intent with two massive sixes off consecutive balls. Dannatt notched a half-century before he spooned a catch to George Burton-Durham off Rob Mouland for 60.

Weigl continued to score quickly and hwas ably assisted by George Stephens (30) and Peter Lamb (26no). The Australian completed his first century in English cricket, finishing on 110 not out off just 73 balls. Chichester declared on 281 for four off 45 overs, a great improvement on previous weeks.

On a flat pitch and with 55 overs to chase down 282, everything was set for an exciting reply. Unfortunately everyone’s hopes were soon dashed when Glynde scored just 27 off the first ten overs.

The score continued to plod along until Johnny Heaven took the first wicket, dismissing Michael Warren for 26 with the score on 64. Even with plenty of wickets and time in hand, Glynde showed very little interest in chasing the target and the innings turned into a war of attrition. Matt Geffen and Garry Austerberry took a wicket each but it little consolation. Even Bennison taking a wicket with his first ball did little to excite the few who remained.

Glynde eventually batted out their 55 overs and ended on 220 for four and the match ended in a turgid, frustrating and disappointing draw. Opposition captain Rob Mouland ended on 112 not out.

Once again talk after the match focused on league rules rather than the excellent batting performance by Weigl and the rest of the home team. A vote is due this week on amending the rules to a more direct win-loss format. Anyone who witnessed this game would agree change is needed to keep an interest at the game at this level.

The result doesn’t help either team and Chichester remain in the relegation places. Chichester face a tricky trip this week to face the Crawley Eagles.

Bognor 2nd v Henfield 2nd

2nd XI div three west

Bognor’s second XI returned to winning ways at the Regis Oval to stay in promotion contention.

After Bognor won the toss and fielded, Henfield thought their luck might be in as they progressed to 43 for no wicket. The visitors’ progress was brought to a swift halt by Rich Cox, who cut a swathe through Henfield’s line up and grabbed six for 31, his sixth consecutive five-fer.

With great support from the Bognor attack, Henfield were bowled out for 105 with skipper Peter Boyce the mainstay of the innings with 44.

In reply, Bognor raced to their target in 25 overs as Ollie Adams carved a vitriolic 76 not out, Bognor winning by seven wickets.

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