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Midhurst find it tough - but they wanted to
Midhurst, Bognor, Aldwick, Walberton, Kirdford, Fernhurst, Lavant and Goodwood have all been in pre-cricket season action. Here are the latest reports.
Havant II v Midhurst
They say that if you want to be better, you need to know what better looks like.
Midhurst were shown, in no uncertain terms, when they played Southern Electric Premier League side Havant in a pre-season friendly.
Havant batted first on a flat wicket and fast outfield at Havant Park and quickly showed Midhurst the need to bowl to your field as they raced away at over six an over.
The introduction of Harry Green and Ken Jones slowed the rate but Havant continued to pile on the runs.
Jones removed the openers and solid bowling from Dave Green and Hugh Reid helped Midhurst's plight. But Havant amassed 330 from their 45 overs without appearing to expend much effort, all the top four scoring 50s.
Midhurst's ground fielding was generally effective but dropping more than five catches and bowling too many four balls does not help.
Midhurst were unlikely to win and chose to use their first match outdoors to try to build form. Simon Lush (12) was lbw, Richard Gough (14) was bowled by a ball he left and Jones (22) played some pleasant shots.
Steve and Chris May produced a good partnership of 73 before Chris May was out for an encouraging 26.
Midhurst finished on 178 for six, Steve May not out on 68, with promising performances from juniors Patrick Cowell and Tom Lush.
Steve May and Jones can also be pleased with their contributions.
Midhurst play first Hampshire league first-division fixture on May 9.
We'll have all the key local results and fixtures in the Observer every week, along with reports and pictures. For scorecards and tables, check out our regular local cricket on this website
Midhurst II v Havant III
An encouraging first match for Midhurst seconds featured strong displays from younger players James Barlow, Charlie Hamilton-Fox and Nathan Kemp.
Key performers were called up to the first XI, which gave the second string a youthful look as skipper Colin Sharp saw an opportunity to blood youngsters and gauge the depth of the club.
Havant won the toss and invited Midhurst to bat first in a 35-over match.
Despite losing Kemp early, Barlow (37) and Colin Sharp (16) made hay.
Robbie Pearce posted 29 before falling to the first of a number of fine catches.
Adrian Sharp and James Andrews located the boundary a few times before Ollie Pearce (18) played a delightful array of shots. Midhurst ended on 150 for eight.
Midhurst's attack was light and despite tidy spells from Adrian Sharp and Pearce, Owen (25) and Small (66) found the boundary at regular intervals.
The introduction of Hamilton-Fox and Kemp brought variety to the attack and they were rewarded with a wicket apiece.
Midhurst worked hard in the field but Havant reached their target with a few overs and eight wickets to spare.
Bognor v Aldwick
Aldwick comfortably beat Bognor ahead of the sides starting their league adventures.
Former Aldwick players Rob Willway (50) and Max Ashmore (20) opened for Bognor with a 70-run partnership before retiring to give team-mates some practice.
Only Ollie Hanson (37 retired) made further runs as Aldwick restricted the home side to 167 for six.
Nathan Belcher (1-24) and John Young (1-24) each bowled eight tidy overs with Arthur Bradbury (1-27) impressing in the middle of the innings.
Bognor's new overseas recruit Charith Jayaweara (0-13) and Graham Bush (0-36) found it hard on a strip that did not favour pace bowlers.
Aldwick's Joel Lodge (37) and Keelan Belcher (42) put on 88.
Ian Demers (53) and Dean Stokes (24 not out) contributed to an Aldwick win.
Rottingdean v Aldwick II
Rottingdean cannot have many easier victories in their 251-year history as the Aldwick batsman capitulated to a paltry 64 all out and lost by 140 runs.
Johnny Knapp (2-27) bowled better than ever and Lewis Paul (2-15) bagged the home side's skipper Tim Bicumore (70) when he looked set for a ton.
Ollie Smith (0-17) and Steve Nanson (0-19) impressed but could not prevent the home side from making 204 for five.
Top scorers for Aldwick were Steve Nanson (19) and Ollie Smith (17) before a dramatic collapse.
Milland v Aldwick Sunday
Declan Belcher's opening seven overs won the game for Aldwick as he ripped the heart out of Milland with five for 23.
Earlier, Aldwick had posted 197 for six which included a second 50 of the weekend from Ian Demers before he was given out handled the ball. Ryan Hicks contributed an impressive 46.
Other wicket-takers for Aldwick were Grant Wilson (2-2), Will Pegg (1-3), Peter Craddock (1-5), and Nathan Belcher (1-23).
Walberton v Bury
Walberton opened the season with a close match that ended in defeat.
Walberton got off to a start as slow as the pitch. Extras kept the scoreboard ticking over as Bury's bowlers Barson and Rowsell kept the batsmen from scoring with the bat until the sixth over.
Walberton finished with only Peter Brackley (28) and captain Nick Jackson (45no) having made significant contributions to a total of 146 for four.
Bury's innings got off to a bad start, with Rowsell dislodging the bails with his bat first ball. However, Bury consolidated well, despite Walberton bowlers Bist and Lockwood keeping tight lines.
Bury took quick singles, with a few boundaries for good measure. With one over left, Bury sealed victory with a quick single from a shot pushed to the space between fielders.
Lavant v Froxfield
A fine maiden half-century from Clem Stross was the highlight of Lavant's opening game of the season.
Put in, ten-man Lavant struggled and were soon reduced to 18 for four.
A gritty 18 from R Burford prevented a rout until Stross came to join him at 42 for six. Stross made 65 with two sixes and eight fours, to be last out at 127.
Froxfield never really got to grips with the chase, but though wickets fell, a draw looked on the cards.
Veteran Newman took two for six from his seven overs, while debutant Sabatini bowled a useful spell. The game petered out with Froxfield on 89 for six.
Fernhurst v Kirdford
Kirdford bounced back from a poor 2008 season with a dominant draw against Fernhurst.
Invited to bat, Kirdford had a slow start but upped the rate from
mid-innings to post 167 for six.
Greg Short and Tim Bryder top scored with 43, while Freddie Thomas (28) and Phil Sheppard (20) did well.
An injury while bowling deprived Fernhurst of key batsman Melrose.
Sheppard produced a fine spell of bowling to give Kirdford a chance and there were wickets on debut for Vowels and Stocker.
Goodwood v MLC
Goodwood nearly pinched a win but the last pair hung on.
Tim Opell and John Clifton paved the way for a masterful innings from Tony Gammon who, with Alex Clifton, put on 135 for the fourth wicket.
Beard nipped in with two wickets when MLC replied, but Goodwood's fielding dissolved into pantomime.
Willmer's accuracy and Clifton's floaters nearly won it for Goodwood.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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