Bognor turn likely draw into victory - but Middleton are mediocre again

Bognor v Arundel Div three west Arundel elected to field against a strong Bognor side keen to put their previous result behind them. But Arundel reduced Bognor’s top order to 18 for two with Arundel openers Will Clark (1-53) and Geoff Stothert (1-73) picking up wickets. Bognor captain Elliot Clarke (42) and Michael Spaseski (25) took the attack to Arundel with a number of boundaries. But the introduction of spin claimed Spaseski with Neil Chitty dismissing the Australian. Clarke pushed the score to 86 before Chitty (2-52) struck again. At 86 for four Bognor had plenty to do, but Bognor’s fifth-wicket partnership of 79 between Oliver Handson (55) and James Fallick steered them to a good position. Fallick and Graham Bush (20) took their team to 237 for six off the allotted 53 overs. Fallick’s 74 not out off 64 balls left Arundel with a difficult total to chase. Bognor’s Jim Lee (1-27) dismissed Justin Murray for eight. Bush’s fantastic spell with the new ball struck fear into Arundel. Arundel slumped to 58 for three losing Clark (9) and Rohan Ardley (16) to Bush, who bowled tightly. Experienced Richard James (44) consolidated before young Charlie La Foret (1-12) claimed Ryan Chitty for one. It looked to be heading for a draw but the pace of Australian Spaseski influenced a remarkable last-gasp win as he cleaned up the tail in no time. Spaseski took his league total wickets to 14 with figures of five for 15 in seven overs. Bognor remain second and host Henfield this week. In the teams’ second XI clash, Arundel amassed 259 for seven. Mikey Harris and Graham Ball took two wickets each. A good 50 from skipper Ricky McIntosh with support from Ball (46) and young Harris (33) saw Bognor finish on 220 for nine as the game was drawn. Middleton v Littlehampton For the second time in a few weeks, Middleton were skittled out cheaply – this time for just 135 by Littlehampton. The visitors chose to bat and James Askew took a liking to conditions. He was well supported by Sajid Khan in a stand of 80, then Khan was caught and bowled by the back-to-his-best Brandon Hanley. Askew blazed away en route to 95 off of just 103 balls. When he departed at 163 for three Middleton picked up a glut of wickets, but Chris Heberlein took over from Askew and fired an unbeaten 55, aided by a dropped catch which he punished by smashing 18 off the next over. Hanley ended with six for 61, but the rest of the bowling and fielding was below par. With the bat, things continued to go wrong for Middleton. Sean Rebbetts went for a duck and he was followed back by Ed Towner before Seb Gallagher was given out in controversial circumstances. The bowlers didn’t need to work too hard for wickets, Hansford offering Rive a caught and bowled and Hanley smashed a Mohsin full toss straight to Rive. The run rate was on track but no-one hung around long enough to build a partnership. Littlehampton secured a 104-run win when Tom Lee secured his third wicket by cleaning up Warren. Steyning v Pagham Steyning made an explosive start as Christopher McPherson (36) and Hywel Jones (63) posted 70 for the first wicket. Gary Hunt smashed a solid 68 and they reached 226 for seven. Tim Humphries (2-35) and Lamb (2-26) quickly disposed of Pagham’s openers. Jonjo Conway (27) and Christopher Williams (39) added resistance but Issacs claimed the final five Pagham batsmen for just 11. Michael Hales (39*) evaded him, but Pagham finished on 130 all out.