Victory in SJCF Again!

Worthing's U16s completed back-to-back victories in the Sussex Junior Cricket Festival Bowl at Arundel Castle C.C. defeating Ansty in the final by 60 runs. Worthing, batting first, finished strongly in their innings, posting 210 for 6 in their alloted 45 overs. In reply, and having started well, Ansty collapsed after tea, eventually bowled out for 150 in the 40th over.

Camera-Gate at Arundel Castle

If anyone finds a camera case containing Nikon camera and an assortment of lenses then they are probably Adrian Swift's. Adrian has a habit of leaving them lying around and then forgetting where he left them. Police helicopter scrambled and sniffer dogs put on alert before the "missing" bag is located where Adrian left it.

Fun for all the family!

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