CRICKET: Worthing boost promotion hopes
WORTHING Cricket Club all-rounder Andy Lutwyche believes they have every chance of taking a promotion spot in Division 2 of the Sussex League, after their 68-run victory over Stirlands on Saturday.
The result lifted them to second in the table, just two points ahead of third-place Pulborough, and 33-points behind leaders Roffey, but Worthing could drop down having played a game more, going into their free weekend on Saturday.
Lutwyche said: "It's wide open now, and we have every chance of hitting a promotion spot. With our free weekend now, the win was important. A lot of teams are playing well, I think Haywards Heath are the ones to watch, though.
"Pulborough losing was a good result for us, especially as it was against Keymer & Hassocks, who are bottom.
"Pulborough tend to rely heavily on a couple of players, so they could slip up, while Roffey admitted to us when we played them they have been lucky at times, which can always change."
Having won the toss, Worthing lost an early wicket before John Kaye's 27 and Ben Duncan's 79 steadied things.
Darryl Rebbetts added 34, while Andy Reid (24) and Colin Moss (27) both contributed as they finished on 215-8.
In their response, Stirlands' Joe Burns (35) and Sean Heather (57) put on a second-wicket stand of 72.
However, from 72-1, Stirlands then crashed to 147 all out after 33 overs, with six of their batsmen out for ducks.
Rebbetts claimed 3-50, while Lutwyche led the attack with 5-37.
Lutwyche said: "It is always a used wicket down there, but normally a very good one. It is hard and fast so we thought it would be a torrid time for the bowlers, but no one could really time a drive, apart from Ben Duncan, who did well.
"A lot of batsmen were chipping up drives to fielders, which is how I got most of my wickets.
"Our score looked a bit below par when we had finished, but in hindsight, it was a good one.
"I felt I bowled pretty well, especially as I wasn't feeling too well, I soldiered on, though, and the wicket did help. Darryl bowled fantastically well in his second spell, too, including one of the balls of the season, which helped us no means."
Worthing have a free weekend on Saturday, but are back in action the week after at Billingshurst.
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Weather for Worthing
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
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Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
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