First win of the season now ‘crucial’ for Pulborough

That’s after they went down by 54 runs away at St James’s Montefiore in yet another game they felt they could have won.

“It was disappointing, just a bad day at the office,” Callagan said. “I would like a couple of wins before the end of the month just for confidence, and Middleton who are third from bottom won at the weekend which means they are pulling away from us.”

Callagan won the toss and put the hosts in, and the St James’s opening pair of Michael Murray and Sam Chettleburgh went on the attack to put on 124.

When Imran Khan finally removed Chettleburgh for 69, Murray soon followed for 47 and the St James’s pack began to topple. Henry Sims though hung around for an unbeaten 54 as they closed to 211-7. The slow seam of Callagan saw him take 5-65, while Khan took 2-46.

Despite losing Stuart Barker in the first over of the reply, Khan and Jono Bennett made 87 for the second wicket. But Bennett fell for 33 off 34 balls and although Khan hung around for 60 off 64, he lacked proper support as they were all out for 157. “We should have our overseas this weekend and be a little stronger,” Callagan added.