Cricket: Bognor and Pagham are moving on up

A measured knock from Green skipper Byron Napper (74) kept the score ticking along and they were nicely set at 111 for three. However, the game swung violently in Bognor’s favour as Luke Seward’s rarely used leg-spin ran through the opposition batting order for a maiden league five-wicket haul, Seward grabbing five for 42 and Wisborough Green finishing on 202 all out. Bognor’s reply was steady as former Hampshire off-spinner Raj Maru made good use of the turning pitch. Sam Taylor’s lusty 38 from 36 balls and young Ryan Maskell’s 31 from 20 balls dovetailed beautifully with Mikey Harris’s patient 75 as Maru took five for 45. With late fireworks from veteran Jim Fallick (27), Bognor eased home to win by four wickets and consolidate their mid-table place. Bognor 2nd XI v Wisborough Green 2nd XI Wisborough were in trouble as Mikey Wake (3-52) ran through the top order. With a counter-attacking 74 from Jonny Farmer, supported by Joey Calder-Smith (43no), Wisborough Green hauled themselves back into the game. Bognor old-hand Andy McGregor (4-29) and Ryan Denyer (2-24) ensured the innings ended on 206 all out. Bognor decided to finish the match quickly as Louis Paul struck another 100 and with support from Ryan Denyer (40), Bognor reached their target with 17 overs to spare, winning by eight wickets. Meanwhile, on a beautiful sunny day, Pagham clinched a tie at home to Henfield when defeat looked inevitable to stay third in the division three west table. Pagham chose to bat first, a decision which looked vindicated when they totted up 233 for nine from their 53 overs. Jamaul Fernandez (76) batted beautifully for the second consecutive week and 17-year-old Ryan Barratt (61) secured his maiden first XI half-century. Runs were hard to come by for the other batsman, but a final flourish from Michael Hales (19 not out from 18) and Sean Rutter (17 not out from 12) took Pagham towards a defendable total. Henfield, having only won one game all season, set off in pursuit of their total very promptly. The opening bowlers posed few problems for the top order on a scorching wicket and Henfield were clearly in the ascendency at 185 for two with 12 overs remaining. Former England under-19 player Jack Parsons (74 from 66) and Brett Moore (45*) took them to this position, but once Parsons was dismissed, Nabid Rahman returned to devastating effect. The score of 185 for two became 224 for nine as the Bangladeshi’s pace was too much to handle - he picked up five for 35. Sean Rutter (4-72) also kept the pressure on and he took the last wicket when Henfield had scored 233. That meant a tie from nowhere for Pagham and 15 points, keeping them 3rd in the table. n Pagham’s second XI got back on track with victory at Henfield. Henfield folded for 157, Peter Cotterill (5-30) largely responsible for their demise with brother Jon Cotterill (3-35). Ian Dyer (49) helped Pagham squeeze over the line in partnership with Dave Leader (36).