Worthing 119 for 6 after 20 overs lost to Chichester by 5 wickets, 120 for 5 after 20 overs.
Worthing came out 2nd best in this tightly contested Quarter-Final which went all the way to the last ball. Played on Friday evening under a perfect blue sky at the Manor, Worthing got off to a bright enough start having been put into bat. The two openers, Harry Dunn and Martyn Swift, had the score up to 52 after 7 overs but when they departed in quick succession, the run rate faltered as Worthing, partly through some careless play lost crucial wickets. Critically, 3 overs passed in the mid-innings with only 2 runs added and it was left to James Allen and Mason Crane in the lower mid-order to boost the total to a respectable, if not outstanding, 119 at the close, on what looked a good track.
Chichester got off to a solid enough start as their two openers, untroubled, took their reply past 50 in the 9th over. The arrival of Mason Crane, the pick of the Worthing bowlers, saw the first wicket fall on 52 and hereafter the game hung in the balance as runs and wickets were exchanged between the two sides. It has to be said that Worthing fielded very well throughout which only served to highlight the occasional lapse as the run chase gathered momentum. When the 5th wicket went down in the 18th over with the score on 107 the game looked to be within Worthing's grasp but with only 5 runs required from the last over, MOTM, Jim Wild, steered Chichester home with a single off the last ball.
Scorecard
Sunday, 5 June 2011
4.6.11 - 2nd XI v Chichester 2nd XI
A disappointing day for the 2s as a heavy to defeat by a margin of 10 wickets meant that their opponents leapfrogged them to the table's summit.
Yet another good wicket greeted the sides at the Manor, and Bradley James (78) and Tom Lund (46) initially made the visiting bowlers pay but Worthing failed to push home their advantage as they stumbled to 202 for 9 in their 53 overs, partly down to a few generous umpiring decisions in the visitor's favour which led to some tense moments both in and out of the middle.
The umpire's form continued in to the Chichester innings as he turned down a number of very good LBW shouts, but the visitors were good value for their win as the margin would suggest. The defeat can be accepted but the manner in which it happened left a slightly bitter taste.
Scorecard
Yet another good wicket greeted the sides at the Manor, and Bradley James (78) and Tom Lund (46) initially made the visiting bowlers pay but Worthing failed to push home their advantage as they stumbled to 202 for 9 in their 53 overs, partly down to a few generous umpiring decisions in the visitor's favour which led to some tense moments both in and out of the middle.
The umpire's form continued in to the Chichester innings as he turned down a number of very good LBW shouts, but the visitors were good value for their win as the margin would suggest. The defeat can be accepted but the manner in which it happened left a slightly bitter taste.
Scorecard
4.6.11 - 1st XI v Cuckfield
A "Clash of the Titans" at the top of Division 2 in Cuckfield, where the visitors triumphed with some aplomb. Clearly a severe water shortage in the area (presumably Ardingly reservoir has dried up) meant a pitch that resembled the Gobi desert, with Peter O'Toole (he was Lawrence in "Lawrence of Arabia" people - keep up) making a fleeting appearance as the batsmen took guard.
Having won the toss acting Cuckfield skipper Nick Patterson opted to bat, and was left wondering whether he'd made the best choice as ball one rose sharply off a length and rebounded off a length to 2nd slip. There weren't too many misbehaving deliveries but it was clear to all at the game that spin was going to be a potent weapon. What with a howling gale blowing directly down the hill making trying to run into it difficult at best.
Sure enough Worthing destroyers in chief were spin twins Benn Challen (5 for 46) and Nick Gunning (4 for 37) as the hosts slumped to 163 all out.
A change in the order saw Andy Reid partnering Ben Chambers at the top of the order, with the latter running himself out, but the diminutive Reid weathered the opening storm to take himself onto 39 before top-edging a pull of Patterson, a shot that had brought him plenty of joy throughout his innings.
Challen (76*) and Darryll Rebbetts (36*) saw the visitors over the line with just over 8 overs to spare.
This win takes Worthing back to the top of the table at the expense of their opponents.
Scorecard
Having won the toss acting Cuckfield skipper Nick Patterson opted to bat, and was left wondering whether he'd made the best choice as ball one rose sharply off a length and rebounded off a length to 2nd slip. There weren't too many misbehaving deliveries but it was clear to all at the game that spin was going to be a potent weapon. What with a howling gale blowing directly down the hill making trying to run into it difficult at best.
Sure enough Worthing destroyers in chief were spin twins Benn Challen (5 for 46) and Nick Gunning (4 for 37) as the hosts slumped to 163 all out.
A change in the order saw Andy Reid partnering Ben Chambers at the top of the order, with the latter running himself out, but the diminutive Reid weathered the opening storm to take himself onto 39 before top-edging a pull of Patterson, a shot that had brought him plenty of joy throughout his innings.
Challen (76*) and Darryll Rebbetts (36*) saw the visitors over the line with just over 8 overs to spare.
This win takes Worthing back to the top of the table at the expense of their opponents.
Scorecard
4.6.11 - 5th XI v West Blatchington 2nd XI
A very windy day with us looking to return to the top of the table. It started well with us winning the toss. West Blatchington batting first J.Stuart (4-37) started well taking early wickets reducing the home side to 28-3. A.Shah (58) batted well for West Blatchington before J.Stuart also dismissed him with a good slip catch from Glenn Harris. J.Belton (2-30) on first change and bowled well and started to restrict the run rate with 2 catches from Neil Harris behind the stumps. Neil continued his good work behind the stumps taking 2 stumpings. A.Squires (2-26) had a good partnership with Belton and we got back on top. J.Westlake again looked good in his spell. S.Wookey (1-14) and Greg Harris (1-57) taking the other wickets. Fielding was good throughout, especially Jack Dunn on 5th team debut who was exceptional.
196 to win and the chase started badly losing A.Bastable for a duck. J.Quintais (17) and Glenn Harris (55) got us into a good position with Neil Harris (50) and A.Squires (32) also scoring quickly to get us close to the target. Unfortunately wickets fell and we ended up getting home 8 wickets down. Greg Harris (15*) and J.Westlake (0*) seeing it to the end at 198-8.
A great team performance and a thoroughly deserved victory returning us to the top of the table by 8 points over Horsham Trinity who we play next week!
Scorecard
196 to win and the chase started badly losing A.Bastable for a duck. J.Quintais (17) and Glenn Harris (55) got us into a good position with Neil Harris (50) and A.Squires (32) also scoring quickly to get us close to the target. Unfortunately wickets fell and we ended up getting home 8 wickets down. Greg Harris (15*) and J.Westlake (0*) seeing it to the end at 198-8.
A great team performance and a thoroughly deserved victory returning us to the top of the table by 8 points over Horsham Trinity who we play next week!
Scorecard
4.6.11 - 4th XI v Hangleton 1st XI
After winning the toss with the lucky £1, Lloyd inserted Hangleton. This appears to be our best strategy. It gives bowlers time and confidence to do their jobs knowing that we can chase pretty much anything, especially on the home track.
The decision paid instant dividends with Adam taking a wicket first up. Adam is hitting the deck quite hard at the moment and when he gets the length right delivers some awesome deliveries as he did on Saturday. Finally he got the results of his endeavours and ended with a 4 for. On a good track there was always going to be partnerships and, as previous weeks, it was vital we kept plugging away and scrapping for every wicket and point. At 144 for 3 hangleton had formed a good partnership, picking runs up and despatching the bad ball. It took Adam's return to break the partnership and form there we managed to chip away and go through them. Lloyd and Nick bowling effectively went through the tail and from 144 for 3 with 20 overs left to 218 all out was a massive effort. A lot of teams would have been at damage limitation at 144 for 3 but we remained on the attack knowing that wickets meant points and we'd chase anything put our way. After a hearty tea we set about the chase. Matt Martin got a good nut first up and was an early casualty. Unfortunately as a batter one good nut can end your day where as a bowler one bad ball means you have at least 5 to make it back. Matt will get runs. Jamie Carter started confidently but unfortunately top edged a pull into his face. A big shiner came up and he had to take a break. Jamie Oxley was welcomed to the team and proved to be very accomplished. some positive drives brought him to a well earned 30 before cutting a catch to point. Runs were coming quickly as the pitch was good. lloyd came in at 5 after bruising his finger in the field and guided us home with a 44no.
This was a solid performance again and we have to keep remembering that one ball changes it, always has, always will. We remain chirpy in the field and always encourage each other. Although individuals can and will influence passages of play and games only a TEAM can win a league or division. Lloyd is learning very fast the frustration you get as a skipper during a game and learning how to deal with them and LEAD everyone. Its never easy but I was taught in business that "The pace of the team is dictated by the pace of the leader" this applies to sporting team events as well. If the skipper is up and buoyant then the team follows regardless of the actual state or position of the game. No one likes to lose and the 4's will lose games at some point playing attacking cricket but if everyone is positive you learn from these games. You should learn from wins, losses and draws. In any result if you are positive then you look at the positives, develop them and improve. If there's negativity then the focus is always the main focal point even when positives are there. I'll stop banging on now but positivity is the key.
Top of the league still which is an amazing feet and one we should all be very proud of. We continue to keep moving forward whoever comes in to the team. There is a buzz around the 4's at present and hopefully this will continue to the season end where we could, maybe, win the division. There's our target chaps. Play hard, play fair, play with FUN.
Scorecard
The decision paid instant dividends with Adam taking a wicket first up. Adam is hitting the deck quite hard at the moment and when he gets the length right delivers some awesome deliveries as he did on Saturday. Finally he got the results of his endeavours and ended with a 4 for. On a good track there was always going to be partnerships and, as previous weeks, it was vital we kept plugging away and scrapping for every wicket and point. At 144 for 3 hangleton had formed a good partnership, picking runs up and despatching the bad ball. It took Adam's return to break the partnership and form there we managed to chip away and go through them. Lloyd and Nick bowling effectively went through the tail and from 144 for 3 with 20 overs left to 218 all out was a massive effort. A lot of teams would have been at damage limitation at 144 for 3 but we remained on the attack knowing that wickets meant points and we'd chase anything put our way. After a hearty tea we set about the chase. Matt Martin got a good nut first up and was an early casualty. Unfortunately as a batter one good nut can end your day where as a bowler one bad ball means you have at least 5 to make it back. Matt will get runs. Jamie Carter started confidently but unfortunately top edged a pull into his face. A big shiner came up and he had to take a break. Jamie Oxley was welcomed to the team and proved to be very accomplished. some positive drives brought him to a well earned 30 before cutting a catch to point. Runs were coming quickly as the pitch was good. lloyd came in at 5 after bruising his finger in the field and guided us home with a 44no.
This was a solid performance again and we have to keep remembering that one ball changes it, always has, always will. We remain chirpy in the field and always encourage each other. Although individuals can and will influence passages of play and games only a TEAM can win a league or division. Lloyd is learning very fast the frustration you get as a skipper during a game and learning how to deal with them and LEAD everyone. Its never easy but I was taught in business that "The pace of the team is dictated by the pace of the leader" this applies to sporting team events as well. If the skipper is up and buoyant then the team follows regardless of the actual state or position of the game. No one likes to lose and the 4's will lose games at some point playing attacking cricket but if everyone is positive you learn from these games. You should learn from wins, losses and draws. In any result if you are positive then you look at the positives, develop them and improve. If there's negativity then the focus is always the main focal point even when positives are there. I'll stop banging on now but positivity is the key.
Top of the league still which is an amazing feet and one we should all be very proud of. We continue to keep moving forward whoever comes in to the team. There is a buzz around the 4's at present and hopefully this will continue to the season end where we could, maybe, win the division. There's our target chaps. Play hard, play fair, play with FUN.
Scorecard
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