Invitation League: Aldwick suffer setback but Wittering and Selsey march on

Aldwick v Crawley Eagles 3rds

Invitation League division two

Aldwick’s winning ways came to an abrupt end with an unexpected defeat by four wickets against Crawley Eagles.

Without skipper Joel Lodge, the day began badly for the home side as in-form Louis Paul was out for a duck and his opening partner Alex Cooper could only manage five until he too fell to the bowling of Sardar Sohail Khan (3-30).

Further inroads were made by Kamran Ilyas (2-30) and Mehran Khan (2-55) and the previously-undefeated home side were soon on the ropes at 64 for five.

However, Billy Turner-Hogg (72) and Adam Robinson (50) came to the rescue in a sixth-wicket partnership that contributed a much-needed 84 runs and swung the game back in Aldwick’s favour. With a late knock from Ollie Smith (18), Eagles were set 200 to win.

Consistent bowling from the opening pair of Adam Robinson (2-37) and Ollie Smith (2-48) gave their side a scent of victory as the visitors were struggling at 31-3. Subsequent bowling changes did not have the same effect and in the end, Majid Raja (66) and Mehran Khan (43) made easy meat of their target and victory for Eagles was achieved in the 44th over.

Despite the defeat, Aldwick remain top of division two, but must beat Eastergate this weekend as some of the chasing pack have a game in hand.

West Wittering v Himani

Invitation League division three

West Wittering won the toss and chose to bowl first on a green, moist pitch with a cross-wind and overcast conditions.

Tim Osborne opened the bowling and finished with figures of five for 22 off 11 overs, supported by Joe Pink who chipped in with a wicket and some tight lines to put Himani under serious pressure.

Matt Jewiss and Harry Staight were introduced and Jewiss bowled some probing lines and had a man caught behind and Staight had a batsman caught at mid-off after some clever bowling.

Despite Staight’s craft and tricks, he got pumped down the ground too many times. Eventually skipper Carl Tupper turned to spin with Himani already eight down for 100.

James Staight was finding turn and fired in a quicker straight one and pinned back Patel’s middle stump. Hammond eventually picked up the final wicket lbw, leaving WWCC 120 to win.

The chase got off to a bad start with Jake Irwin-Brown running himself out for a duck. Stuart Moorey, his opening partner, carried his bat through the chase for an outstanding 63 not out.

Mitch Hackshaw showed his usual aggression before being out for 14. James Staight played an array of classy strokes until he was out to Nilesh with a beautiful delivery, taking his off stump.

Himani’s spinner bowled some unplayable deliveries to account for Harry Staight and Hammond. The Wittering Wobble ensued and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals – until injured skipper Tupper finished the chase with a four, securing the 30-point win.

This week WW travel to face Brighton & Hove threes.

Crawley Nayee v Selsey

Division three

Selsey recorded an emphatic 89-run victory at Crawley Nayee.

They were invited to bat on a poor surface and did very well to score 201 for eight off 49 overs.

The innings was based around a gritty 82 from Karl Walton. A few other batsman got starts but no-one went on to make a big score which wasn’t surprising considering the surface.

In reply, Crawley Nayee came out attacking but they were dismissed for 112. Josh Stocks with three for 26 and a brilliant run-out, Pete Horner (2/30), Tom Amis (1/27), Tom Cripps (1/20) did the damage and it was left to golden arm Ed Fox to take the final two wickets for just three runs to keep Selsey top.

St Andrews 2nd v Aldwick 2nd

Division six

Aldwick came unstuck – they too were defeated by St Andrews seconds by five wickets. Like their club counterparts, Aldwick seconds’ top batsmen also made a poor start and were all at sea on four for two.

Sam Kirwan (4-25) and Stuart Murray (3-40) were in fine form as they cut through the visitors’ batsmen with ease but later on they did find some resistance from Harry Rossor (56) and skipper Grant Wilson (26), who were able to give their side a defendable final total of 176 all out.

Skipper Wilson gave six different bowlers the opportunity to put their side in charge but in the end it was only the captain who bowled well enough to engineer a win for Aldwick with his figures of three for 27.

Consistent batting performances from Liam Agate (36), Paul Watson (40), and Sam Kirwan (24*) saw the home side home in the 37th over with relative ease.

This weekend Aldwick are at home to Brighton & Hove fourths.

Henfield 3rds v West Wittering 2nds

Division eight

On a dubious wicket, Jack Lyons and Mark Brien opened the Wittering attack and Brien eventually produced a fantastic spell taking one wicket.

Luke Adams joined the party with a wicket while young guns Charlie Caddy, Ben Marlow and Will Finch all contributed, taking a wicket apiece.

Lyons returned for a second spell taking two wickets in his first over. Henfield were bowled all out for what seemed a very achievable total of 78.

West Wittering moved to 32 for two with Gareth Lendrum and Alistair Phillips-Hill the top run-scorers of 29 and 14. However J Howick and C Howick tore through the middle order, leaving Adams and Brien as last wicket pair requiring ten runs to win.

After some nurdling by Adams, skipper Brien hit a six to win it.

It leaves Wittering top of division eight, with five wins from five and maximum points. This week they host unbeaten Barns Green seconds.

Selsey 2nds v Broadwater 2nds

Division nine

Selsey seconds replied in fine style following last week’s disappointing with a home victory over Broadwater.

They batted first and scored 213 for nine off 40 overs with a fine 89 not out from Gary Mack. Tim Fewster (30) and Jo Clarke (26no), batting at 11, gave Selsey a competitive total.

In reply Broadwater struggled against fine bowling with James Chaloner (3/32) and Jo Clarke (2/36) the wicket-takers.

Ashley Humphries bowled with great disclipline to finish with nought for 16 off nine overs, which helped set the tone.

Broadwater finished on 181 for seven off 40 overs, leaving Selsey with a maximum-points victory.

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