Invitation League: Wittering and Aldwick lead the way

West Wittering v West Chiltington

Invitation League division four

West Wittering continued their unbeaten start to the season by securing a thrilling draw against arch rivals West Chiltington.

Batsmen Joe Pink and Kevin Allsobrook were the heroes as they staved off the Chiltington attack in the final overs of the rain-affected game, ensuring the points were shared.

West Chiltington were asked to bat and reached 64 for the loss of just one wicket. The elements took hold and play was halted for rain.

The break in proceedings seemed to help the home side as a flurry of wickets followed; including one from what was described as the ball of the season from Olly Lingham-Davis.

The away side continued to find scoring difficult and the outfield slowed any balls destined for the boundary. This created pressure, which led to further wickets. Tim Osbourne was the pick of the bowlers taking four for 42 and West Chiltington set a target of 167.

Wittering were in buoyant mood but their run chase got off to the worst start. Opener Mark Taylor was caught at slip for a duck in the very first over and it gave the visitors a visible lift.

Taylor’s dismissal bought in form captain Carl Tupper to the crease and he was bidding to score his third consecutive century. Tupper could only manage half that milestone, eventually falling for 60.

Wittering were losing wickets at an alarming rate with Gareth Lendrum, Harry Staight and Nigel Twiddy contributing only 23 between them.

The only other scoring threat came from James Staight, who bludgeoned 44 before falling lbw.

Towards the end it became clear the target wasn’t going to be reached and defensive instincts took over. Lingham-Davis and Alex Salmon could not stay in but this set the stage for Pink and Allsobrook to save the day.

Tupper expressed his delight at how the season is shaping up from both a team and personal perspective.

“To be 70 points clear at the top of the table at this stage of the season is a great position to be in, but we are gutted we didn’t get over the line and win the game today,” he said.

“In terms of my own personal form, I’m happy to keep helping the team but scoring runs is a great feeling, so long may it continue.”

Aldwick v Clayton & Belgrave Adelaide

Div three

After last week’s first league defeat, Aldwick came bouncing back with an emphatic eight-wicket win to remain top of the division.

In between torrential downpours, both sides kept the game going to a finish – albeit with reduced overs.

Batting first, the visitors found it hard going against the home side’s opening bowling attack of Adam Robinson (3-37) and Josh Sargeant (2-24), who sent batsmen back to the pavilion at regular intervals. A late flurry from Kevin Thame (24) and Mark Green (37) gave their side a competitive final total of 135 from 35 overs.

Aldwick had only 31 overs to reach their target but with skipper Joel Lodge on top form they need not have worried.

Lodge made a superb 80 and put on 105 for the first wicket with Dean Stokes (16). The skipper was eventually out to Dan Norris (1-11) but the only other wicket-taker was Tom Sadler (1-24) as the table-toppers galloped to victory in only 26 overs.

This week, Aldwick travel to Crawley Nayee to continue their drive for promotion.

Brighton Electricity v Aldwick 2nd

Div seven

Aldwick’s Grant Wilson put in another great bowling performance to skittle out the opposition for 53.

Wilson finished with five for 23 which included bagging Electricity’s first three batsmen for a combined total of only four runs. Jonny Knapp bowled four overs to take one for 12 but when first change Harry Rosser took over he complimented Wilson’s spell with a equally good four for 17 from six overs.

Two ducks early on for Aldwick may have had lesser sides thinking they were going to make a hash of things but a calm performance from opener Jordan Bist (20*) with good support from Dominic Hawkins (14) ensured an easy victory after 11 overs, despite fine bowling from Sam Figg (2-31) and Andrew Lang (2-15).

This pushed Aldwick up to third place and this week they entertain Rustington twos at the Felpham Oval.