Senior Results - 18.8.12

The first team travelled to bottom placed Eastbourne, with the hosts containing 3 former test players in the form of Alan Wells, Mohammad Akram and Ed Giddins as well as Sussex number 3 Luke Wells. After weathering an initial storm where the ball seemed to be swinging around hairpin bends, Brad James (53) and Stuart Carter (75 not out) batted superbly to score maiden half-centuries for the first eleven allowed Worthing to muster 189 from their 58 overs. Eastbourne, stars and all, waited until the 52nd and final over to knock the runs off 7 wickets down, with all scalps going to the spinners Mason Crane (5 for 78 from 21.2 overs) and Benn Challen (2 for 60 from 18 overs) with the visitors sporting a makeshift opening attack of Andy Lutwyche and Ollie Rogers due to injuries. With Eastbourne only managing 4 points against the Development XI the following day, Worthing have given themselves a good chance of survival assuming reasonable results in the remaining two games.

The second team played a strong Eastbourne seconds at the MCG as the visitors notched up 259 for 8 with Shane Felton the main threat taking 4 for 74, Josh Goldsmith 2 for 32 and a wicket each for Martyn Swift and Nick Gunning. The home side were bundled out for just 85 in reply with only Tim Dunn blunting the scorers' pencils making 23. Worthing are 20 points from safety in a very tight division.

The thirds took on a strong Scaynes Hill 1st XI at the Manor and scored 143 batting first. Runs were shared around with Adam Bastable top scoring with 33, with Tom Chambers (22) and Kevin Punter (24) also chipping in. Injured first team bowler Luke Vinter got bounced out in what he described as a "traumatic experience". Scaynes Hill reached their target 8 wickets down with impressive figures for Punter (3 for 53), youngster Jamie Piper (3 for 32) and a wicket a-piece for Nick Oxley and Joe Westlake. The thirds are now safe from relegation!

The fourth team travelled to Scaynes Hill where the hosts smashed 277 for 3 with a wicket each for Dave Leader, Jack Stuart and Robson Piper. In reply Worthing got to 193 with contributions from Stuart (25), Jack Dunn (27), Harvey von Biel (31), Leader (37) and a wag in the tail from James Belton (29 not out). Worthing are relegated but put up a decent fight considering the availability issues experienced this season!

23.7.11 - 3rd XI v Scaynes Hill 1st XI

A fantastic win against the odds in this must win game saw Worthing move further away from danger in the league.

Worthing bowled first with the pick of the bowlers being Dave Leader with 4 for 14 and skipper Kevin Punter taking 2 for 28. There was a wicket each for Joe Westlake, Martyn Swift and Matt Thorne as the visitors posted 188 all out.

The drama was to come as Worthing batted though and they looked dead and buried at 56 for 6 and 134 for 7, but a match winning 95 not out from Dave Leader saw his side over the line with a six.

These are the sorts of performances that the side has been expecting all season but to hold your nerve in that sort of situation is a superb effort for Dave and the team, and congratulations to skipper Kevin Punter.

Scorecard

21.5.11 - 3rd XI v Scaynes Hill 1st XI

Still chasing their first win in this division, the 3rd XI held out for a draw. Having bowled first we bowled out the hosts for 242 with James Aylen the star bowler, claiming 5 for 33, well supported by Dave Leader (3 for 76) and some economical stuff from Martyn Swift (1 for 49 off 14 overs) and Joe Westlake (1 for 14 off 7 overs).

The batting was dominated by Leader who hit 71 on his return to the club, but bigger contributions were required from other senior players if we were to threaten the opposition's total. We finished on 207 for 8.

A win is not far away, and improvements are being seen every week.

Scorecard