U16s v Chichester U16s SJCF - 17.8.12

Worthing 267 for 5 dec (off 34 overs) beat Chichester 140 All Out (off 34.1 overs)

Worthing made their way into the final with an assured win at the Manor Ground on what was a fine summer’s afternoon. Having lost the toss, Worthing were put into bat and immediately began to pile on the runs at a brisk rate. All of the Worthing top order got good starts and on another day would have perhaps got a hundred but the occasional slack short combined with some good catching gave the visitors a measure of control. The pick of the batsmen were Aaron Tugnutt and James Allen both scoring 61 against a varied Chichester attack who were willing to give everyone a bowl on the last day of the week. Allen’s 24 in the 34^th over including three sixes was the trigger for the declaration.

Chichester started steadily enough as their two openers took the score into the mid 40’s but a double bowling change in the form of Nick Oxley and Jamie Piper, each bagging a pair in quick succession, effectively saw the end of Chichester’s hopes of reaching Worthing’s total. With the field in, James Stemp and Charlie Futcher cashed in on some indifferent slow bowling but the return of the seamers saw the last 4 wickets go down in as many overs, Martyn Swift finishing on 3 for 22. Another great performance from the U16s, particularly with the bat, who now look forward to a final against Ansty on Sunday.

Scorecard 

U16s v Arundel15.8.12 - SJCF

Arundel 110 All Out (off 32.1 overs) lost to Worthing 111 for 4 (off 30 overs)

An early morning downpour made this another good toss to win as Martyn Swift once again came up trumps with the call and duly invited Arundel to bat. Worthing’s seamers, Nick Ballamy and Jamie Piper were the pick of the bowlers each taking 3 wickets during the innings but everyone played their part as Worthing’s bowling and fielding made it difficult for the opposition to score runs quickly on what was a slow outfield. Keelan Shoulders batted well for his 29 and Matt Clynes chanced his arm for a quick-fire 31 before he was undone by a slower delivery from Nick. One or two lapses in the field were the only real blemish on what was otherwise a very good display from the Worthing eleven.

Aaron Tugnutt and Mike Askew opened the reply for Worthing and both looked in good touch as they set about building an innings. However, some excellent catching in the deep saw Arundel halt Worthing’s progress as both openers and subsequently James Allen, all holed out to big shots that were well taken by the fielding side. After a slightly nervy start, Harvey Von Biel and Ollie Carpenter settled in to begin a partnership which would prove decisive. Harvey hit eight 4’s on his way to an unbeaten 40 and Ollie hit 25 including a 6 over long-on before being stumped 3 runs shy of the target. Josh Wood, playing his first game for the U16s, came in to hit the winning runs to give Worthing another strong win in the group.

Scorecard 

U16 v Bognor SJCF - 14.8.12

Bognor 102 All Out (off 42 overs) lost to Worthing 105 for 0 (off 18 overs)

After the disappointment of a scratched game at the start of the week, Worthing’s U16 Festival campaign got off to an emphatic start beating long-time rivals Bognor by 10 wickets. Some overnight rain had made the pitch a little lively so having won the toss Worthing had no hesitation putting Bognor into bat. Worthing’s attack made the most of the conditions bowling tight lines making runs hard to come by. Wickets fell steadily during the course of the innings as Worthing’s bowlers and fielding continued to apply pressure on the vistors. Michael Harris offered stern resistance batting for over half the innings and Adam Robinson weighed in with a sprightly 25 not out towards the end of the innings to help Bognor’s total into 3 figures before the last wicket fell on the last ball of their allotted overs.

The bright sunshine and warming air of the early afternoon had clearly improved the condition of the wicket and by the time Worthing began their innings the pitch was less threatening. Worthing opener Harry Dunn (29 not out) supported a fine innings by his partner, Michael Askew, who went on to score 57 not out, hitting 12 fours along the way in another commanding display.  On another day Bognor may have bagged a couple of wickets but the result was never really in doubt as Worthing eased passed the target at the end of the 18^th over without loss. A great start to Worthing’s week but will still need to be at their best during the week for further successes.

Scorecard

Photographs

Senior Results - 11.8.12

The first team gave themselves a huge boost with a much needed win over fellow relegation candidates Brighton and Hove. Having been put in by the visitors Worthing notched up 167 all out with Alex Harris top scoring upon his recall to the side with 45. Darryll Rebbetts (34), Ian Gooding (28) and Andy Reid (20) also chipped in.

Things didn't look good for Worthing with Brighton and Hove 113 for 4, but then John Glover got very angry for no apparent reason and mopped up the tail with impressive figures of 6 for 28. Mason Crane also chipped in with 2 for 40 and Benn Challen got a wicket. 30 points were gratefully accepted as Brighton won the toss and chose to field.

The second team slipped up at the Neville despite having scored a respectable 214 for 8. Tom Lund scored 59 not and Nick Ballamy continued to impress with 40 as others chipped in with 20s when had one gone on to score a bigger total, Worthing would have been out of site. Brighton and Hove got to their target 8 wickets down with an over and a bit to spare. Ballamy took 3 for 25, Paul Westlake 2 for 28, Nick Gunning and Michael Gould taking a wicket each.

The third eleven recorded a victory against Clayton & Belgrave Adelaide by 8 wickets. A good all-round day for the side saw skipper Kevin Punter take 6 for 36, Nick Oxley 2 for 24 and a wicket each for Sanjeev Kalra and Josh Cottrell as the hosts stumbled to 147 all out. Worthing made light work of their target as Lloyd Crathern hit a steady 49 and Gareth Challen a blistering 60 not out in just 46 balls to reach their target just 2 wickets down.

The fourth eleven almost required floodlights as Serendib took 4 hours to bowl their 48 overs in an over rate that would have embarrassed many test teams. Worthing reached 252 for 4 as Jack Stuart and Dave Leader both hit exactly 50 and Lloyd Osland 77 not out. Serendib clung on for a draw in the half-light reaching 230 for 9.Andy Culver took 4 for 68 and Jamie Piper 2 for 31 alongside some dodgy running from the visitors.

The fifth team travelled to West Blatchington restricting the home side to 197 for 5 from their 40 overs. Greg Harris took 3 for 36 with a wicket each for James Belton and Josh Hyde. In reply Worthing were 59 runs short having achieved 138 for 9. Josh Quintais top scored with and Adam Bastable hit 25.

Senior Matches - 4.8.12

The first eleven traveled to East Grinstead and bowled first on what looked a decent surface having lost the toss. After a wayward start with the ball, Worthing regained some control with the spin attack of Benn Challen (2 for 42) and Mason Crane (4 for 84) to restrict EG to 245 for 8 when it looked initially like a far larger total. John Glver took the other wicket.

What wasn't factored into the equation was Sussex paceman Lewis Hatchett who took 9 for 17 as Worthing stumbled to just 57 all out, with no false shots, just Hatchett swinging it around corners!

The seconds won by 62 runs at the MCG. Having elected to bat first the hosts clocked up 235 for 5 with veteran Tim Dunn batting all 53 overs for 97 not out, aided by Alex Harris (27), Nick Ballamy (25) and Nick Gunning (33 not out). EG never looked like reaching their target as Martyn Swift (4 for 40) and Shane Felton (4 for 50) made early inroads, whilst Paul Westlake (2 for 30) mopped up the tail. The two's are now in 6th position.

The third eleven achieved a winning draw against Brighton & Hove 3rd XI. Batting first Kevin Punter hit 59, Dave McAdam-Freud 49 not out, Josh Cottrell 44, Lloyd Crathern 35 and Tom Chambers 22 in their total of 241 for 4. The visitors ended on 221 for 9 with Cottrell taking 4 for 58, Jack Westlake 2 for 23 and a wicket each for Punter and Dave Leader.

The fourth eleven lost but PC UK failed to enter the result in time so it's tough to do a report!