U16 Champions League Final

Worthing (140 for 5 off 20 overs) lost to Bexhill (141 for 3 off 17.5) by 7 wickets

The U16s finished off their season under the floodlights at the County Ground, Hove enjoying a unique opportunity to play at this historic venue in the final of the Champions League. This would turn out to be one game too far for this team which after such good season is no disgrace just failing to meet the challenge set by Bexhill. Having chosen to bat, Worthing got off to a good enough start as both openers, Harry Dunn (57) and Michael Askew (48) built an excellent opening stand of 115 before the fall of the first wicket in the 15^th over. However, the middle order struggled to put bat to ball in the last few overs and although the total set by Worthing of 140 was respectable it was perhaps 20 or so less than was looking likely at one stage.

Bexhill got off to an excellent start as they wasted little time to reel in Worthing’s total. Spearheaded by Liam Bryant, who hit 7 fours and 3 sixes in his brisk 59, Bexhill had already reached 79 by the time he was out in the 9^th over. A 2^nd wicket for Mason Crane in the same over gave Worthing a glimmer of hope for a way back into the match but the damage had already been done. Nick Ballamy and Jamie Piper bowled with pace with no reward while Nick Oxley managed to eke out another wicket for the leg-spinners club but it was all to no avail. Bexhill’s captain, Cameron Burgon, having survived a stumping chance earlier on, steered his side home comfortably enough with a couple of overs to spare. However, the result didn’t dampen what was otherwise an excellent occasion hosted by Sussex CCC.

Scorecard 

U16 v Horsham Trinity - Chamions League - 8.9.12

Worthing (139 for 4 off 20 overs) beat Horsham Trinity (132 for 8 off 20) by 7 runs

A fine sunny afternoon greeted the two teams for what would be a thrilling encounter at the Manor Ground for a place in the final at Sussex CCC, Hove on Wednesday. Having lost the toss Worthing were invited to bat and got off to a solid start as Harry Dunn (20) and Michael Askew (27) took the score to just shy of 40 before the fall of the first wicket in the 6^th over. Aaron Tugnutt coming in at No.3, continued his form with the bat this summer hitting 36 in just 35 balls, including 6 fours, ably supported by James Allen with a useful cameo of 24 not out. However, with just 17 runs coming off the last 3 overs, the total, while challenging, was not the ‘Everest’ Worthing were perhaps hoping for.

Horsham Trinity also got off to good start equalling Worthing’s 37 in the opening 5-over power-play. Two well-taken low catches by Martyn Swift, off the bowling of James Allen and Jamie Piper, was enough to see the demise of the two openers while Nick Oxley, perhaps the pick of Worthing’s attack, bowled economically making runs hard to come by in the middle of the innings. However, David Rogers was batting well for his side and was the mainstay of Horsham’s pursuit of victory as they closed within 12 runs of the target at the end of the 19^th over.  With the game in the balance, a truly match-turning moment as Rogers appeared to hit a straight six only for James Allen to pluck the ball one-handed above his head running round from the long-off boundary. It was a catch in a million for James and effectively won the match for the home side. Due credit to Horsham Trinity who batted well throughout their innings, who never gave up and took the manner of their defeat graciously having been so close to winning. On such small margins……

Scorecard

Senior Results - 1.9.12

The first team retained their place in the Sussex Premier League for season 2013 despite a frankly abject performance at Priory Park in Chichester. Worthing opted to bat first having won the toss, needing a score of 175 or more to reach safety, but could only manage 162, largely thanks to Michael Gould's breezy 41 from just 30 balls, Brad James' patient 23 as those around him perished, and a good partnership for the tenth wicket between Stuart Carter (36) and Mason Crane (14 not out). Most batsmen got themselves out as with ill-advised shots, although the hosts bowled tight lines with a little bit of movement.

The bowling/fielding display from Worthing was generally below par as Chi raced to 149 without loss whereupon they lost two quick wickets to Mason Crane before cruising to their target. As a result both sides were safe from relegation, Bexhill and Eastbourne going down, the latter due to Mohammad Akram's comment to an umpire earlier in the season.

There was heartache for the two's in a winner takes all game at the MCG. Whoever lost this game went down to Division Two. After a disastrous start Worthing were 8 for 5, but a terrific innings from Gareth Challen, in conjunction with skipper Justin Watts and the tail got the home side up to 150. The visitors reached their target with the loss of 7 wickets.

Senior Matches - 25.8.12

The first and fifth teams got called off early on by the umpires in the former's case due to heavy and persistent rain overnight and a heavy downpour between 8am and 9am which left standing water all over the ground.

The seconds travelled to a damp Hastings where they attempted a T20 game but were beaten by the weather also.

SJCF U16 Bowl Final v Ansty

Worthing 210 for 6 (off 45 overs) beat Ansty 150 All Out (off 39.4 overs)

Worthing U16s scored a rare achievement with back-to-back wins in the Sussex Junior Cricket Festival Bowl Final, following up on their success in 2011. The match, once again, was hosted by Arundel Castle C.C., a truly fitting venue for this historic competition, and played out, for the most part, in glorious sunshine.

Worthing won the toss and chose to bat but this decision looked to be ill-judged when opener Michael Askew was dismissed in the first over. Mason Crane joined Harry Dunn at the crease, both looking to steady the ship and patiently re-build the innings. Slowly but crucially this pair saw off the next 20 overs without the loss of another wicket until a mix-up in the middle saw Dunn run-out for 30. Although the score had only reached 58 by the end of the 21^st over, the platform for the middle order was provided as the teams enjoyed an early lunch while thunder and lightning, and a brief shower temporarily interrupted play. At the resumption, Aaron Tugnutt joined Crane in the middle in what would prove to be a decisive performance. Batting through to the close, Tugnutt scored 68 not out off 57 balls with some lusty blows to all parts of the ground. James Allen (18) and Harvey Von Biel (11) played their part, but the arrival of Nick Ballamy who scored 32 in just 18 balls was pivotal. In just under 7 overs the 5^th wicket put on 60 runs in what was probably the turning point of the match. Ansty did well to keep the run flow in check with Jack Best the pick of the bowlers conceding just 16 runs off 6 overs but in general there was some great work in the field preventing the further loss of runs as Worthing’s batsmen looked to add to the total in the closing stages. Worthing concluded on 210 with 6 wickets down in their allotted 45 overs which was a creditable effort, given their slightly nervy beginning.

Ansty made an assured start reaching 66 without loss at tea after 16 overs. Although Worthing had bowled well and kept the run rate down to a manageable level, Ansty’s openers looked untroubled with no real hint of a chance in the session before tea. Worthing resumed the attack after the interval with a double bowling change immediately introducing their two left-arm spinners. This proved to be a key moment as first Harry Dunn, aided by a smart low catch from Martyn Swift to dismiss Will Wright for 28, and then James Allen, made breakthroughs in successive overs taking a wicket apiece as the first hint of optimism for Worthing. Key to Ansty’s chances was Ed Coombs, but when he was finally undone by leg-spinner Mason Crane on 62 with the total on 121, game was all but won for Worthing. As runs became hard to find, Ansty began to lose wickets and two calamitous run-outs proved to be their undoing. Harry Dunn claimed two further victims to finish with best figures of 3 for 32 but perhaps, fittingly, it was Jamie Piper who took the last wicket having bowled superbly all week; Ansty finishing on 150 all out in the 40^th over.

Ed Coombs rightly collected the man-of-the-match award for his innings and captaincy of the Ansty team, but Worthing were deserved winners of the final which should live long in the memory of this group of boys who have grown up together on and off the field.