It's like cricket was never locked down ... West Sussex clubs enjoying their July friendlies

Chichester Priory Park 3rd v Bognor 4th

As rain fell on Old Trafford, the sun shone on Priory Park.

Priory batted first and Parker and Price got into a good rhythm. Bognor snaffled Parker’s wicket (13) with a great catch at point, but Price took up the mantle.

It is quite an achievement to lose a ball at Priory Park but Price (51) and Graham-Wood (35) made some good attempts, keeping the socially distanced sunbathers on their toes.

Tom Baily (43no) waited patiently and took his chances. He was accompanied in the final overs by Roger Smith (53no) - leaving a target of 226 for Bognor to chase.

The pick of the bowlers was Richard Lindsay (2-29). Harry Lindsay, John Hooker and Lulu Millen all chipped in.

The pick of the Bognor batsmen were Jim Saunders (19) and Mike Delaney (10). The Chi opening bowlers Pitman (1-6) and Gee (2-14) were tight, and Theo Bachelor’s 2-22) proved vital. Extraordinary figures of 3-0 by young right-armer Tom Baily ensured that Priory bowled out Bognor for 59.

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Aldwick v Middleton Academy

After more than ten months away, Aldwick started their season against Middleton’s academy.

Liam Hicks got a jaffa for the first ball of the season to record the first golden goose (as it was the first ball of the team’s season). But Liam Tinson scored 44 from 33 overs. Olli Duffin came all the way from London to get a duck, being run-out from a free hit.

Jamie Murphy added a quick 50 but it was left to Ian Guppy to stride to the wicket with his Mongoose. Five sixes & eight fours later he was well caught on the boundary for 74.

Aldwick were all out for 225 with Kiran Srisarvend taking 3-37 and there were two wickets for Cameron King and Harry Lever,

Middleton’s opening pair of Murray Carter (43) and Steven Rishman (41) got them off to a perfect start. D Howell scored a quick 46 and Ozzy Rishman (41*) saw them home to win by six wickets. There was a wicket each for Jake Merrett, Jamie Murphy, Liam Hicks and Rob Taylor.

Although finishing on the losing side, the day was enjoyed by both teams under strict Covid-19 conditions.

Petworth v Kirdford

With the start time already delayed it was at one point unlikely any cricket would be played. Eventually it was decided a 30 -ver game would take place.

Petworth won the toss and elected to bat. After two quick wickets from Ben Simpson (3-11) Petworth steadied the ship with Adam Downing (34) and Drew Clark (34). Kirdford eventually made wickets fell, via Jamie Rountree (3-18) and Patrick Haywood (2-3), but a gritty batting performance from David Hambridge (20no) meant Petworth finished on 138.

For Kirdford’ two quick wickets fell before Gus Fletcher (42) and Patrick Haywood (41) put on 87. Once they were out it was up to Jamie Rountree (24no) and Benedict Jeffery (13) to try to get Kirdford over the line.

It took a four off the last ball from Rountree to win it for Kirdford.

Hawkley v Lavant

Lavant batted first at Hawkley in a match reduced to 30 overs as the rain cleared.

Danny Berkley scored quickly but was caught for 22. James Stemp clattered the Hawkley attack making a fine 70 in a 112-run partnership with Lee Russell.

Steve Brooker joined Russell and kept the momentum going with 42. Russell with 38 and Brooker departed to leave Phil Allen with 15 and Dave Burford with 14 to take the Lavant total to 216-4.

Hawkley replied with purpose punishing any short deliveries despite a fine spell from Berkley. James Stemp’s pace and accuracy troubled the batsmen and a sharp caught-and-bowled removed Maltby for 49. But Lavant could not gain control as Aaron Stewart struck 85 and Hawkley passed the Lavant total.

Selsey v Broadwater

Selsey were asked to field on a glorious day and on a great wicket.

Tom Cripps and Charlie constable couldn’t break through against two strong hitters. De Silva (44) was caught and bowled by Will Smith 2-22 and Stone (55) was caught by Freddie Collins.

With constable 3-37 keeping it tight and picking up three late wickets Selsey kept Broadwater under 190.

In reply James Amis (25) and Will Smith (76) batted superbly. Smith’s five huge sixes set up the game for selsey to push on, 102 for 1 quickly became 102/2 with rob rishman falling second ball, this brought. Horner hit anything loose and Brad Rose was bowled for 11.

With Tom Cripps 31* and Tig Hoare at the creaseten was needed off the last over.

A four from Hoare then a six over mid-wicket by Cripps won it to the delight of the crowd.

West Wittering Academy v Old Barn

The West Wittering innings started in a slight drizzle. Mark Taylor was in good form but he lost his opening partner Joe Pink early for two and Alex Fitzgerald, who played some good shots before being bowled for 15.

Dom Daplyn and Taylor shared a good partnership until Taylor was bowled for 42. Enter Andy Priest, who quickened the run rate and his team followed his lead with Zach Stewart making a quickfire 16 helping to get Wittering to 156 off their 30 overs.

Old Barn took to the crease and Joe Sissons soon picked up the first wicket with a catch at slip from Priest. Wittering began asserting their dominance with a great spell from Steve Clunie who finished with 2-29.

Daplyn picked up three wickets and Old Barn finished on 135 off their 30 overs, with young gun Ozzy top scoring with 43 not out. It was fantastic to have cricket back at the Millennium Meadow.

Goodwood v Sussex Martlets

Led by tJohnny Heaven, Sussex Martlets outfit arrived at Goodwood on Sundayin drizzle but this eased and the game began in relatively dry conditions.

Martlets chose to bat first. Carter and Lamb started well. Their display ended in the 13th over with the score on 58 as Lamb (46) played on to a Matt Geffen delivery. Geffen also removed Rebbetts cheaply finishing with figures of 2-19. What followed was a steady procession of Martlets batsmen.

Only Warinder (23) made a contribution outside of this norm. Stanley Mayne bowled well enough to take 4-30. James Mayne took 1-40, Graeme Bennison 2-11.

Martlets were all out by the 33rd over for 127.

Goodwood openers Carver and Matt Bennison strode outand knocked off the required runs in 22 overs. Both reached their 50s (Carver 65 and Bennison 58) with some glorious shots.