Bognor so close to winning August Cup - Aldwick looking forward - Goodwood sink Royal Navy

A highly successful season for Bognor CC came to a thrilling but unsuccessful conclusion against St Peter’s of Brighton.
Bognor line up for the August Cup finalBognor line up for the August Cup final
Bognor line up for the August Cup final

The August Cup final went to the final ball, reflecting how far Bognor have come as a side, and setting the club up for a concerted tilt at the Division 2 title in 2021.

Put into bat at Blackstone CC on a terrific wicket, Bognor lost Ryan Maskell early, but Tom Woolnough (24) and Joe Ashmore (71) consolidated. Ashmore has been in superb form in the latter stages of the cup campaign, and was again aggressive, pulling his first ball to the fence.

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The St Peter’s attack was for the most part toothless, though Wazir Khan (2-19) was excellent. Despite losing Woolnough, Bognor increased the run rate, with a maiden first XI 50 for Taylor Jaycocks showing his talent.

Mike Harris hits out in the Bognor inningsMike Harris hits out in the Bognor innings
Mike Harris hits out in the Bognor innings

The high point of his 71 off 62 balls was a hooked six off opening bowler Varun Khullar, but there was plenty of exceptional strokeplay.

After Ashmore and Jaycocks departed, a quick flurry from Mike Harris (21) dragged the total to a competitive 226-9, Rohan Doyle picking up 3-55.

St Peter’s appeared to have judged the pitch nicely, and with very little swing or seam movement, got off to a flier.

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Doyle swung through the line and rapidly reached 50 in the sixth over. It took the spin of Harris to dismiss him for 57 off 28 balls, and with Jaycocks accounting for the experience of Toby Pierce, the game was back in the balance.

Goodwood CC history maker Tim WerganGoodwood CC history maker Tim Wergan
Goodwood CC history maker Tim Wergan

Harris (2-33) continued to probe, and the introduction of Ashmore dealt with Max Lincoln, who was followed back to the pavilion by Hope (25) and Khullar, for a duck.

The game swung back to St Peter’s as skipper Sam Wheatley began playing some fine strokes, including four classy straight sixes.

Wickets continued to fall around him, however, as Bognor stayed in the contest.

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Sam Adams, as he has been all year, was excellent with 2-24, while Josh Sargeant returned to bowl exceptionally at the death.

Going into the last over, Bognor finally accounted for Wheatley (58), and three consecutive dot balls to number eleven Khan left St Peter’s 2 to win off the final ball, with a wicket sending the August Cup to Bognor.

Khan laid bat on ball, and the throw from long-on was not gathered cleanly, with both batsmen well short, leaving St Peter’s August Cup champions by one wicket.

Bognor will return in 2021 with more experience in their ranks, and a fit young side look very capable of a title challenge.

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With the addition of Zimbabwean Roy Kaia as overseas for a second time, and the continued development of young talents across the club, it is an exciting 12 months ahead.

Aldwick v Storrington

Storrington batted first in this friendly on a pleasant afternoon.

Dooglas Sopp (32) and David Livermore (110*) racked up 100 off 18 overs.

Aldwick only took two wickets, thanks to Alex Ryder and Ollie Duffin, but restricted Storrington to 203.

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Aldwick went off like a rocket, and Ian Guppy’s 78 took just over six overs with seven sixes and seven fours.

He put on 74 with debutant Nathan Koakan, of which Koakan only scored five.

When Guppy departed the runs dried up and Dion Sampson (20) and Alex Ryder (7) couldn’t stop Aldwick being all out for 155.

Jamie Fisher, Guy Humphries, Steve Livermore and Bobby Charman took two wickets each.

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Although this strange season is coming to an end, Aldwick’s future looks in good hands with many youngsters making an impact in adult cricket.

Ashling v Portsmouth Community

Portsmouth Community batted first and made 171, with opener Nottage top scoring with 52, Harrild the pick of the Ashling bowlers with 3/30.

In reply Ashling were up with the target thanks

to Harrild (29) and Horlock (24) but a late batting collapse saw them fall 61 runs short.

Despite not winning a game this summer, Ashling have been encouraged by an increase in player numbers and have enjoyed matches against their opponents in the true spirit of Sunday village cricket.

Goodwood v Royal Navy

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Goodwood CC (262 for 8) beat the Royal Navy CC (148 all out) by 114 runs.

The Navy won the toss and elected to field.

The Goodwood innings was dominated by a superb 149 from Tim Wergan. His score surpassed Mike Smith’s recent knock of 138 not out, which had been the highest score at Goodwood since 1966. That record only lasted 14 days but Smith took it well. Tim’s score is the second highest score by a Goodwood player since 1900.

The record is 166 by R Mason in 1950. With supporting knocks from John Heyworth (23) and Smith (28), Goodwood finished on 262-8.

Wickets came from Johan Williams, Shorn Bobb, Clifford Dare, H Parsons and Stu Collins.

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At tea, a presentation was made to Richard Geffen. His work this year that has made so much cricket possible in such challenging circumstances has been greatly appreciated by all.

In the Navy reply, S Radford (16) looked like he was going to take Dan Brown (2-19) apart. But skipper James Mayne engineered his dismiisal and the run rate was becalmed.

Stanley Mayne (3-30) joined the attack and, as usual, presented the batsmen with a host of problems.

James Mayne (2-15) joined the attack and although J Edworthy (59) and Johan Williams (24) provided some resistance, the Armada never arrived.

Kevin Rich (3-30) came on and caused the Navy furhther problems as Goodwood ended up as comfortable winners.

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