WICKERS PROVE TOO STRONG FOR GORING

Spectators sought shelter from a stiff breeze not entirely conducive to good cricket. Even the batsmen appeared disinclined to stay out in the middle for very long, nobody in the match getting beyond the twenties. Southwick slumped to 101 for six after two hours of attritional cricket. Several batsmen made starts, but Goring's young team bowled and fielded tigerishly. Gareth Cook took two for 25 in ten testing overs, and brothers Chris and Danny Geere also had two scalps apiece at little cost.

Another wicket then might have made Southwick's position irretrievable. But if they were embarrassed the visitors showed their fighting qualities. Mark O'Keefe (26 not out) and Adam Walter (29 not out) put together the best partnership of the day.

Southwick closed on 155 for six after 49 overs. It was better than it might have been, but still within reach for Goring who began their reply promisingly. Chris Bird and Duncan Waitland played some delicate cuts and glances. It needed someone to stay and play the major innings, but nobody could. Paul Grennan, the wind in his sails, put in the bowling spell that swung the match. He made a mess of Bird's stumps, the first of four victims for 40 in 14 express overs. Then Chris Summers came on to take three quick wickets.

Danny Geere briefly threatened, hitting 12 from one over, but the leaders now had the upper hand. Nine wickets were down, over 40 still needed, and plenty of the last twenty still to be bowled. Young Matt Keen, who had earlier shown glimpses of his bowling promise, now demonstrated a wide range of attacking strokes, and few defensive ones.

Even though Grennan returned, Keen and Anurag Garg boldly reduced the margin to just 19 before the 13 year-old was trapped in front by the experienced Steve Martin. With 24, Keen was Goring's top scorer. His wicket was Martin's third for 20 runs in 13 miserly overs.

Southwick are at home to Burgess Hill on Saturday, while Goring are away to local rivals Broadwater.