Lost by 8 wickets
 
A comprehensive defeat does not often offer more than just a few plusses to the losing side, be it in a batting performance or a decent spell of bowling, but perhaps this weekend we can feel proud of our efforts.  We were up against a strong visiting side, who in the past have played a few, very talented colts, mindful of the fact that we did not possess the strength in depth of a club like Littlehampton (after all they have a Saturday 4th team for goodness sakes, plus two on Sunday).  So we were punching above our weight for sure, but maybe that is a positive thing once in a while, as its sets a marker for how we are progressing as a side.  And on Sunday I believe we all stepped up to the mark and produced some good cricket throughout.  

Winning the toss, Laurie chose to bat, which perhaps came as some surprise to the visitors , who may well have expected a run fest of their own on a day that was ideal for batting.  Laurie’s choice, however, was based on sound cricketing sense, and the feeling that gone are the days when we insert others just so as they get a decent bat - we are better than that now, (So that’s the first positive from Sunday and we have not bowled a ball yet!)

Sam and Graham opened and, as they have done all season, both players exuded a confidence that spreads through the side nowadays.  Sam played a superb innings that he himself felt was far better than his near century at Rustington.  He was undone by a real snorter of a Yorker that came out of nowhere, and was out for 43.  Graham was solid throughout his innings and would be a little disappointed with his caught and bowled dismissal at 27, having seemingly set himself fair for a decent score.

Both David Groves and Paul Smith got starts, both hitting boundaries, but were unable to build on them.  Both showed signs again of more to come, and in David’s case, with two fifties already this summer, we have unearthed a gem.  Arun’s usual middle order collapse did not materialise in it’s usually way, though we became a little static for a few overs and were in danger of throwing away a good start.  Another positive came in the form of Phil Atherton’s batting at the promoted position of number 6.  Phil has an old head on an old body, akin to Monty and Laurie methinks! It will not be long before his commonsense batting reaps rewards.  At 132 for 7 we were still shy of what we had hoped for, and with Ducky and Monty at the crease anything could have happened!  And it did, positive number three - Monty showed an almost unheard of sense of responsibility(!), challenging his partner Ducky to stay there until the end – (and they did!).  Ian, having celebrated his first run with the usual salmon leap, proceeded to bash the bowlers around and together they put on around 30 priceless runs to leave us at 162-7.

Littlehampton reached their target comfortably for the loss of only two wickets, with half centuries for Kevin Staight and P Askew.  Jamie bowled a good line and length throughout and, had not the gully put down two sharp chances, he would not have remained wicket less.  That said, Monty should be proud of his attempts, blimey lads he’s 54!!  With the batsmen well in, and runs coming freely, it was not turning out a great day for bowlers, and it needed a couple more plus points to present themselves.  Firstly in the shape of Patch, who bowled three very good, sensible overs.  He was not overawed by the quality of the batsmen and it bodes very well for the future, both for patch and the club.  The long awaited wicket came with the visitors already over a hundred and seeming to be heading for maybe a ten wicket victory.  Monty bowled five consistent overs that saw him bowl Kevin Staight and even have the effrontery to bounce Ricky with a slow looping 20 mph delivery that somehow hit Ricky in the chest.  Tony came on for three overs and dismissed the other opener with a stumping by Sam.

Littlehampton   22 june 2008