Blandford takes five wickets as Three Bridges win again

Cricket. Three Bridges v Bognor (batting). Conor Golding. Pic Steve Robards SR1710571 SUS-170515-122119001

Captain Olle Blandford won the toss and chose to bowl and with the new ball got his team off to a good start, he accounted for Adams who was caught by Legg for 3.

Bridges’ Conor Golding bowled Max Ashmore second ball and combined with Adie Chappell to make runs hard to come by.

The pressure paid off when Archit Patel came on and picked up the wicket of Elliott Clarke as Mike Rose came on from the other end.

Spinner Rose nicked off Harris for 30, leaving them 90-4.

Matt Blandford was then brought back into the attack and instantly had Joe Ashmore caught at square leg by Golding.

Matt then ran through the Bognor lower order using his pace to spark a collapse.

Clarke was caught at slip, Seward nicked off before Sergeant skied a slower ball.

Wickets continued to fall quickly as Joe Bennett was bowled and Rose got his second at the other end to finish the innings.

A professional fielding and bowling display saw Bognor go from 90-3 to 106 all out on a wicket that seemed fine for batting.

After a comfortable chase last week Bridges hoped for more of the same from their batsman, sadly it was not to be so easy.

Golding and Sohail Shah got off to a fast start, hitting the loose balls for boundaries and looking set. Shoal however fell LBW bringing James Russell to the crease.

Golding was playing well at the other end and lead Bridges past the 50 mark, though soon after Russell was bowled by Joe Ashmore for 11.

Golding was stumped for 33 to Ashmore who was a real threat on a pitch starting to turn.

He then picked up Tom and Olle Blandford in quick succession as the chase suddenly became a lot more difficult.

At the other end youngster Joe Walker was showing the same technical and tactical skills that have lead to impressive early season form.

Ashmore finished his allotted nine overs which was pivotal, though Clarke came on and picked up Ross Legg and then Mike Rose as the collapse continued. with 17 still to win and three wickets left Matt Blandford joined Walker. The pair brought some calm to the innings and saw the team over the line.

Impressive contributions from Matt Blandford (5-31) and Joe Walker (22 not out) added to a good team performance from Three Bridges.

They play newly promoted Mayfield at home next week.