West Wittering promoted – one point for title

They hosted Goring CC on Saturday in the knowledge that 30 points would secure promotion.

Goring won the toss and chose to insert West Wittering in on what looked a bowler friendly wicket.

Tom Gaskin and Gareth Lendrum opened and soon Lendrum deposited the Goring opener into the houses with a huge pull shot. But he fell shortly after, cutting a wide ball to point.

Sam Caddy was on his way back just as quickly and after a few more quick wickets Zander Muir seemed to be the only one of the batting line-up that could cope with the Goring onslaught.

After he fell for 48, the ever-reliable Jordan Dear stepped up to get some very handy runs at the back end of the innings as Wittering finished on 169 all out.

In response Goring started well with a few chances slipping away. But Dear took two wickets in two balls to rattle Goring.

Goring rebuilt but after Joe Pink bowled their remaining opener a tempting full delivery, he skied it in the air and was caught spectacularly by Dear.

Wickets tumbled quickly and eventually Goring slumped from 83-3 to 129 all out.

This was a great effort from all the WW lads – and what an amazing season it has been. They need just one point this week at Henfield to secure the title.

Bognor v Middleton

Sussex Premier

Middleton won this derby at a canter in the end, despite a spirited performance from a Bognor team shorn of some first team regulars.

Batting first, Middleton survived the early loss of captain Sean Heather to Josh Sargeant (3-28), as Harry Hovey struck a confident 45.

However, the introduction of Nick Stobart (4-44) saw a clatter of wickets, as the Kiwi overseas took four in his first spell.

As ever, Middleton's lynchpin Mahesh Rawat was excellent, scoring 77 at just under a run a ball before being dismissed by the excellent Ben Woolnough (3-24). Middleton were eventually bowled out for 223.

In reply, Bognor started well, but after the loss of Woolnough (30) and captain Ryan Maskell (21), the wheels came off a little. Stobart struck a quickfire 36, but Ajit Sambhi took 4-26 to continue his excellent season, as Bognor were dismissed for 130.

Bognor 2nd v Crawley Eagles

Division 6 West

Gary Maskell struck his fourth century of the season and third in a row (101*) as Bognor toppled league leaders Crawley Eagles.

Earlier, Oliver Handson had taken 3-21 as Bognor gave themselves an outside shot at promotion heading into the final day.

Bognor Ladies finished runners-up in the Women's T20 competition, losing to Hailsham in the final

West Chiltington & Thakeham v West Wittering 2nd

Wittering elected to bat on a green pitch with a slow outfield.

The decision appeared justified, as despite hugely variable bounce from the pavilion end, Wittering got to the halfway stage at 70-1.

William Finch (11) played some lovely strokes and Carl Tupper (29) regularly found the boundary while Mark Taylor (30) played the anchor role.

Tupper’s dismissal prompted more, though both Andy Priest (17) and Charlie Caddy (11) had been looking dangerous until getting out.

A strange lbw decision against Spike Western followed before Kev Allsobrook (13) briefly steadied the ship but West Wittering were bowled out for 130.

In the reply Kieran Baker (2-27) took two wickets in his first two overs, egged on by his rapidly improving younger brother Kaelan.

The home side recovered to 80-3. However, the pace of Western (4-37) proved too much for them.

Priest (2-26) and Tupper (1-23) pegged Chilts back further, a double wicket over taking the score to 124-9. But the home crowd saw their side knock off the winning runs to cap promotion.

Arundel x Aldwick

Division 6 West

Chasing 246 runs for victory, Aldwick fell 43 short – finishing on a respectable 202 all out with good knocks from Luke Barkes (53) ,Alex Cooper (43) and Tom Hoare (33) along the way.

Arundel's top wicket taker was James Charnock (3-22) closely followed by a brace apiece for Carl Harris (2-32), William Spratt (2-25) and Oliver Ward (2-14).

Earlier, Arunder's openers Kieron Hornsby (47) and William Spratt (20) got their side off to a solid start but the Aldwick's bowlers - especially Ben Bambridge (4-54) - made valuable inroads reducing the home side to 69-4.

However, Oliver Ward (87) revived his side with a match-winning innings and despite wickets from Frankie Bigwood (2-35), Luke Barkes (1-40) and Josh Kemp (1-37), Arundel's total was suffcient for victory.

This week, Aldwick finish at home to Crawley Eagles.

Aldwick 2nd v Pagham 4th

Division 12 West (South)

Aldwick restricted Pagham to 149-8 but their batsman - apart from Liam Hicks and Mathew Tozer (28) - were rolled over for just 79 all out, losing by 70 runs. The Pagham bowlers responsible were Gavin Vaz (4-24) , Cody Caparo (2-12) and Steven Newell (2-16). Alex Ryder (5-28) and Mathew Tozer (2-11) removed the Pagham openers but a 124-run fourth-wicket stand set up their win.