INVITATION LEAGUE ROUND-UP: With Southwater promoted, attention turns to the bottom

After Southwater had clinched promotion to the County League the week before, attention turned to the other end of Division One last weekend to see who would be joining Clymping in Division Two next season.
JPCT 230814 S14350511x Cricket - West Sussex Invitation League Division 2: Horsham Trinity v Broadbridge Heath. BBH batsman Tim Wells batting  -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140826-093415001JPCT 230814 S14350511x Cricket - West Sussex Invitation League Division 2: Horsham Trinity v Broadbridge Heath. BBH batsman Tim Wells batting  -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140826-093415001
JPCT 230814 S14350511x Cricket - West Sussex Invitation League Division 2: Horsham Trinity v Broadbridge Heath. BBH batsman Tim Wells batting -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140826-093415001

East Preston, who occupied the other relegation place, knew only a win would do at Felbridge if they wanted to control their own destiny on the last day. In the event, their Surrey opponents managed just 121 before EP romped home with all their wickets intact.

Captain Gary Weedon making an unbeaten 72. The other side in trouble, Littlehampton, also won at Arundel to leave St Andrews who had the week off dropping into the relegation places. So next weekend, it’s effectively between Ram and Saints, who play each other in Crawley, to see who goes down. Ram are in trouble following an eight wicket hammering at West Chilt.

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The Crawley boys again didn’t make enough with the bat - 127 a/o with James Howgate taking 5-36 for Chilt who got home comfortably by eight wickets.

In Division Two, Broadwater are back up to the top division after a gap of three years following a thumping win in the Worthing derby against Chipps. Chipps were skittled out for just 122 on Broadwater Green with Grant Christie taking 6-57; Chipps’ ever reliable Ollie Hall took 4 Broadwater wickets before they got home five down. Horsham Trinity are also up after a nine wicket home win in the derby against Broadbridge Heath.

They dismissed Heath for 150 with only Tom Endacott putting up much resistance with a half century before knocking off the runs with the loss of skipper Andy Petch. Former colt Louie Donnelly made an unbeaten 55 and Jack Gold an unbeaten 78. The loss means Heath cannot now go up.

At the bottom, Three Bridges 3rds are all but down and will be joined by either Selsey who occupy the other relegation place and didn’t play last Saturday or Storrington who lost by 87 runs at home to Scaynes Hill. Selsey go to Broadbridge Heath and the Swans visit Three Bridges this Saturday.

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In Division Three, Eastergate and Aldwick are up and it’s Southwick, Barns Green and Worthing 3s for the two relegation spots. Green who have struggled all year managed a draw at Clayton with both Martin Hennock and Jay Dumbrill making half centuries. Ben Hill and young Will Haynes took seven Clayton wickets. They go to Crawley Nayee on the last day needing a big win.

In Division Four, it’s between Horsham 3s and Findon 3s to see who joins West Wittering 1s in Division Three next term. Horsham lost at the champions by 33 runs with Gavin Daisley taking 4-34 before Matthew Butterworth made a half century in vain. Findon won comfortably against West Chilt’s 2s at Hill Barn. Chilt were rolled over for 157 inside 40 overs with no batsman making more than 26. Findon got the runs with five down - Chilt youngsters Charlie Davies and George Lee took a brace. At the bottom, Chilt remain in trouble as it’s five clubs to fill two relegation places to join Arundel 2s in Division Five. This Saturday, Horsham in second host Findon with an eight point advantage. Chilt host Southwater 2s at their Recreation Ground needing a win to stay up and relying on other clubs’ results. Brighton’s St Matthias 1s are below Chilt and travel to Felbridge 2s who are also in trouble. Partridge Green 1s who are in the best position of the endangered clubs host relegated Arundel 2s.