Under 16s - 27.5.12

Chichester (98 All Out) lost to Worthing (99 for 6) by 4 wickets

In the end Worthing won out in a low scoring game which they could have easily have lost but for a remarkable run chase at the death. Things didn’t start well for Worthing when key all-rounder, James Allen, retired injured having turned his ankle in the field during the 3^rd over. Nonetheless opening seamers Martyn Swift (2 for 10) and Nick Ballamy (1 for 17), supported by Sam Greenrod (2 for 21) each completed their 5 allotted overs keeping Chichester pegged back with some pacey accurate bowling and a steady stream of wickets. Chichester’s Charlie Futcher (24) responded well with the bat hitting 3 fours but when he was out in the 20^th over the runs dried up leaving Harvey Von Biel to take the final two wickets with the home side all out in the 25^th over just shy of the hundred mark.

Worthing’s reply started well as their new winter signing, Michael Askew, having already made a name for himself with 2 stumpings and 2 catches from behind the stumps in the first innings, helped himself to a score of 31 (retired out), including one fine straight six. However, the middle order slumped; two quick wickets and only 21 runs in the middle 10 overs left Worthing still needing 40 runs off the last 5; an unlikely task against a good Chichester attack. However, the 6^th wicket partnership of James Neal and Harvey Von Biel started to get things moving and when James was unluckily run out, Harvey took control hitting a match winning innings of 29, 15 coming off the 24^th over including a well struck 6 over long on. By the time he was out the game had all but been won and it was left to the captain, Martyn Swift, to hit the winning runs in the final over.

15.5.11 - U16s vs Goring

The U16s came up short in their opening game of the season against Goring, having fought well in the field to keep the opposition down to97 for 7. Martyn Swift and  Bradley Lewis opened the attack with some consistent bowling and a couple of early wickets keeping the score  down to14 for 2 after 8 overs. However, Goring's middle order took command of the  innings and steadily amassed a total with some credit on  what was a less than even batting surface. A couple of dropped chances  helped their cause but in general, the fielding was  good including a fine diving catch by Aaron Tugnutt behind the stumps helping James Allen to 3 wickets during a fine 4 over spell. With less than 100 on the board, this should have been an eminently gettable total.

The openers got Worthing off to a breezy enough start, seeing 20  on the board after 5 overs. However, the departure of Harry Dunn saw the Worthing  innings settle into the doldrums as Goring's bowlers took hold. The next  6 overs produced just 14 runs and as Worthing continued to struggle,  wickets started to fall. A combination of self-imposed survival, poor  shot selection and lethargic running between the wickets best described as occasional, lead to an  irretrievable position. A valiant effort by Mason Crane almost snatched  victory from the jaws of defeat as Worthing's batting and running  between the wickets at last began to impose itself but in the end it was  too little too late. Winning matches such as these will require a bit more effort and attitude in the batting department.

Notable Performances:
Bowling: Martyn Swift 4-3-2-1, Bradley Lewis 4-1-8-1, James Allen 4-0-14-3
Batting: Mason Crane's frantic 11 in the death throes, Not much else.

For those who want to remind themselves of the agony you can see a selection of pictures from the match via the link below.

http://www.worthingcc.com/U16_v_Goring_15th_May_2011