Invitation League round-up: Southwater still lead the way despite draw

Despite only drawing at St Andrews on Saturday, Southwater remain at the summit of West Sussex Invitation League Division 1.
JPCT 050714 S14280289x  Cricket, West Sussex Invitation League Division 2 - Horsham Trinity bowling, Donnelly v Three Bridges 3rds batting,  -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140707-091854001JPCT 050714 S14280289x  Cricket, West Sussex Invitation League Division 2 - Horsham Trinity bowling, Donnelly v Three Bridges 3rds batting,  -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140707-091854001
JPCT 050714 S14280289x Cricket, West Sussex Invitation League Division 2 - Horsham Trinity bowling, Donnelly v Three Bridges 3rds batting, -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140707-091854001

There were 50s for Nick Baker and Alex Harding as the visitors posted 250-6 off their 49 overs; Harding and Danny Humphries putting on an unbeaten 87 for the seventh wicket.

In reply, Southwater took eight wickets, but couldn’t remove the host’s Hayden James who made an unbeaten ton and had to settle for a winning draw.

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Second-placed Arundel won the game of the day at third-placed Felbridge by five wickets. The visitors bowled the home side out for 142, with all ten wickets catches. Veteran Neil Chitty took four wickets and three of the catches.

West Chilt are now third following a comfortable five-wicket home win over East Preston.

EP made 172-5 with West Chilt footballer, also EP captain, Gary Weedon making 71. Malcolm Fitzgerald took three wickets on his return to the first team.

Keeper Jack Carter then made 76 and under-15 Eddie Miller 45, as they put on 120 for the third wicket as Chilt got home in the 35th over.

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Carter said: “I love playing here but so do many opposition batsmen. We had a few missing today so especially pleasing after we lost Tim (Jarvis) early.”

Bottom club Clymping gained a valuable home win at home to Littlehampton.

In Division 2, Storrington gained a second successive win - this time at home to high-flying Chippingdale.

The visitors were skittled out for just 57 with only Ollie Hall making double figures. Dan Pickard took 4-17 and Alex Barritt 3-22 as the Swans won by seven wickets.

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Horsham Trinity now lead the table from Broadwater as they won comfortably at home to basement side Three Bridges 3rd by six wickets, while Broadwater’s game at Crawley Eagles 3rd had to be cancelled due to heavy morning rain.

In Division 3, Barns Green lost again and remain bottom after defeat at home to high-flying Aldwick.

Eastergate are top after an eight-wicket home win over Crawley Nayee.

In Division 4, leaders West Wittering finally lost a game - they were beat by second-placed Findon 3rd at Hill Barn. Wittering were bowled out for just 130 to lose by 85 runs.

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West Chilt 2nd picked up a much-needed win in a very tight league. They won at St Matthias in Brighton.

After losing the toss, Chilt made 186-5 with Josh Reeves making an unbeaten 40 before bowling the opposition out for 144.

Veteran former Storrington bowler Alan Reeves took 6-44 with his out swingers and said: “With only two going up this season from Division 4, it’s going to be a tight. However, if we can get on a run and get some consistency of selection in all three of our sides, we hope for at least stability and at best, a couple more promotions.”

Chilt’s 3rd remain in trouble near the foot of Division 8 after a disappointing batting display let them down again at home to Henfield.

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