Colts cricket: Chichester youngsters enjoy first match

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UNDER-EIGHTS

Findon v Chichester Priory Park

At the recreation ground in Goring, Chichester were playing their first competitive match.

Chichester batted well against an accurate Findon bowling attack, and although wickets fell at regular intervals, the Chichester pairs rallied well to compile a respectable total of 159.

For Chichester Sam Wilmot top-scored with 14 while Jamie Edwards and Arran Goode scored 11 each. Matt Hawke was the pick of the Findon bowlers, bowling very straight to take three Chichester wickets.

In reply, Findon started strongly with a flurry of boundaries, and despite enthusiastic fielding and some excellent bowling from Oscar de Lacy, Jerome Brackley and Henry Williams, who each took one Findon wicket, Findon’s experience showed as they finished on 189 to take the win.

The game was enjoyed in good spirit at a lovely ground – maybe this will be the start for some cricketers of tomorrow.

UNDER-13

Arundel visited Middleton, winning the toss and choosing to bat.

After 20 overs Arundel had scored 84 for five with both Olly Dabinett-Jays and William Spratt retiring on 25.

Middleton’s Sam Bell had kept them pegged back with three wickets for two runs in two overs, including a double wicket maiden.

After just over 14 overs Middleton had scored 85 for one, with Matt Pearce retiring. This was a comfortable four-wicket win for Middleton and a solid team performance.

UNDER-12

Middleton visited Goring’s Fernhurst Drive. Some excellent batting from Owen Spicer (24), Thomas Robinson (16) and Zak Cogger (13) saw Middleton score 105 for seven after 20 overs.

In reply Goring managed 79 for six against some strong bowling from Rhys Nicholas (3-5), ably supported by Ben Purkis (1-9) and Cogger (1-2).

UNDER-11

Playing at home, Middleton’s under-11W team took on Midhurst in an evening match.

Middleton were put into bat, accumulating 152 runs for one wicket with the scoring largely spread between Charlie Maginnis (24), Ben Mackley (21), Sam Green (21) and Harry Leaver (17).

Midhurst fought back but wickets from Mackley (3-7), Dill Howell (2-2) and Marcus Nelmes (1-14) pegged them back to 61 for 12, giving a losing margin of 146 runs under the net scoring rules.

The Middleton under-11E team hosted Worthing Chippendales. Winning the toss, Middleton opted to bat first and put in a strong performance. Johnny Lye top-scored with 26, the in-form Charlie Maginnis hit 25, Owen Spicer 25 and Sam Green 21.

The final result was a comfortable win for Middleton on 169 for seven against Chippendale’s 130 for ten. Maginnis, Green, Rocco Gamblin and Sam Patterson all took wickets for Middleton.

UNDER-NINES

Chichester Priory Park v Findon

Priory – aka the Spitfires – played host to Findon under the regular format of pairs cricket of 16 overs each.

Findon elected to field and their bowlers set to work straight away, causing problems for the Priory openers on a bouncy track, but gradually the batters got into their stride.

Findon took wickets early on, but Priory got into the game, with some excellent running between wickets, which pressured their opponents fielding. Findon held some good catches.

Chapple and Baily made a good number of runs to contribute to a total of 183.

After a well-earned drinks break, both teams set about their tasks with great eagerness. Priory opened the bowling with good straight deliveries.

Fairchild took an excellent caught and bowled. Findon did not give in and their captain created some pace in the innings.

The Spitfires held their opponents to a score of 121 as three late wickets by Slater dashed any hope for the visitors.

An excellent match played with enthusiasm and commitment by both teams – well done all!

SPITFIRES: Theo West (c), Tom Baily, Rohan Chapple, Kai Fairchild, Joe Slater, Harvey Humphrey, Alan Biju, Freddie Rustell.

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