v Chichester

On a day where Spitfires flew over head, the 2s ventured to Glorious Goodwood to try and right the wrongs of the previous’ weeks dismantling at the hands of Roffey 2s (note the bitter nature of the author). On arrival the wicket looked green but the outfield quick (more on that later), and although the skipper wanted to bowl first (what is it they say about the definition of insanity) he was not too disappointed to be batting first having lost the toss. A batting line up strengthened by the returning Jack Bradley and Adam Mates, as well as another club debut for Alex Nash, looked strongly placed to score 200 for the first time this season. Cue another Bensons disaster start, with Martyn Ford trying to smash a free hit (despite the bets that he might just leave it from the pavilion) ending up looping it to square leg before being run out for 2. This brought debutant Alex Nash to the middle and alongside Jack sought to bring some stability to the top order. These two moved the score along nicely to 74 before Alex (33) was caught at short mid-wicket from one that just stopped in the wicket. This brought the returning Adam Mates to the crease and the two former colts opening partners took the score along nicely up to 150 with about 8 overs to go, before Adam was bowled for a near run-a-ball 46. With a good platform, a score in excess of 225 looked in range, with most dismissed batters feeling that this was above par. However, a smattering of wickets, including the skipper to a rather fortuitous catch without scoring, Jack Bradley for a very mature and elegant 69 and Gappy George getting “Smithyed” in a run-out to point, meant that we had to settle for a score of 209-7 (Gab 7* off 4) off our 45 overs.

With a make-shift new opening bowler of Guppy, and the enigmatic swing bowling of Smithy, again we didn’t set the tone with the new ball. It took the introduction of Paul Hardwick, bowling the quickest overs of seam bowling, to stem the run rate, and Alec Scott to pick up their dangerous opening batter who had smeared a quick 50. Chichester were well set at drinks at 140-4, but an excellent fight back in the last 20 overs, led by Alec, Paul and Dave Mates (3-42), lead to a grand-stand finish with Matt Smith changing ends to pick up 4-13 pegging Chichester back to 198-8 and then 208-9. But it wasn’t meant to be as the excellent number 3 from Chichester hit the winning runs to finish 94 not out. A tough defeat for the lads, but some major positives in how we fought back not only from the disappointment of last week, but also in the last 20 overs when we looked out of the game. The bowling of 16 year-old Alec Scott was a big highlight, and look forward to seeing how he goes in the next few weeks.

Brighton & Hove CC 2nd XI 209-7
Chichester Priory CC 1st XI 212-9
Matt Smith 4-13
Dave Mates 3-42
Jack Bradley 69
Adam Mates 46