Findon storm to comprehensive National Village Cup and league wins
W19144H9_Spt_CktFinArdl Phot Malcolm 090509 Findon's Jack Metters.W19144H9
FINDON Cricket Club captain Barry Meaney has hailed what he described as an excellent weekend for his side after they recorded Sussex League and National Village Cup victories.
On Sunday, Findon booked their place in the Sussex semi-finals of the National Village Cup after a nine-wicket thrashing of Middleton, their fourth consecutive win, just 24 hours after picking up a just as comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Littlehampton in Sussex League Division 3 West on Saturday.
Findon, who have an excellent history in the cup competition after making the national final at Lord’s in 2007, and the last 32 last year, made light work of Middleton on Sunday, who, after having lost the toss, were all out for 98 in 36.2 overs, thanks to Jack Metters and Felix Jordan ripping through the order with 3-17 and 3-10 respectively.
Bradley Bridson then led the Findon reply with 51 from just 31 balls, as he and Jack Metters (26 not out) put on 70 for the first wicket, before Meaney helped see them over the line.
Meaney said: “It was an excellent weekend, as I said last week we were aiming to get some momentum going and that is exactly what we have done.
“These were two potentially tricky fixtures and to come through them both is very pleasing. The league is our priority this year, but a nice run in the Village Cup is the cherry on the cake.
“Middleton are top of our league so we were under no illusion of the test they would be.
“We went into it relaxed and confident after Saturday and took wickets at good times, and when they were four or five down, we just went at them flat out.
“Then, with the bat it almost mirrored Saturday, as Bradley came in, got a quick 50, and we were almost there.”
Findon now go through to the Sussex semi-finals stage, where they meet East Sussex Division 1 side Rottingdean at home on May 29.
On Saturday, Findon had recorded their second consecutive win in Division 3 West of the Sussex League, picking up 30 points with the win over Littlehampton.
Having won the toss and deciding to bat, Littlehampton succumbed to a fine bowling performance from James Iago, who took 6-41, as the visitors slumped to 151 all out from 52.4 overs.
They were 18-3 at one stage and wickets continued to fall with only Matt Parnell (47) and Thomas Lee (28) putting up any real resistance as Iago, Russell Brown (2-37) and Harry Metters (2-27) ripped through the order.
In response, Bradley Bridson hit 51 and Jack Metters crashed 73 not out.
Together, they put on 93 for the first wicket. Meaney then added 16, and Mickey Demetriou, with seven not out, saw Findon home after just 22.1 overs.
Meaney said: “We are backing ourselves to chase this season, so when they won the toss and chose to bat, it suited us.
“I was pleased how we performed in the field and with the ball, as we took vital wickets at good times, but funnily enough without bowling as well as we did last week.
“James Iago got his rewards with six wickets which were really well deserved. Chasing, we needed to come out on the front foot, which we did.”
Last season, it took Findon nine league games to claim their first win and despite two in as many weeks in the league, and two cup wins, Meaney is keeping his feet on the ground: “We have four wins on the board, but we are not getting carried away. “We have started much better than last year and we’ll look to keep that momentum going.”
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Weather for Worthing
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
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