Littlehampton secure first away win of the season with victory at Middleton

Littlehampton started the day second from bottom but their first away win of the season has moved them up to sixth place and delighted captain Dan Rive, who said: “It was a very good result.

“We won the toss and batted as that’s how we felt we could get more points and we wanted to try to defend a total.

“Our catching was very good, especially Tom Lee’s when he ran back to catch the ball over his shoulders at deep long off. Our fielding performance was also excellent and the only blip was James Askew’s drop when they were eight down.

“We seem to blow hot and cold this season but we’ll keep plugging away.”

James Askew and Sajid Khan got Littlehampton off to an excellent start with an 80-run opening partnership on Saturday.

Khan fell for 32 and Darren Bazley was out shortly afterwards but Askew then put on 80 for the third wicket with Guy Souch.

Askew was out for 95 after hitting 17 fours and one six but Chris Heberlein finished unbeaten on 55 after striking nine fours as Littlehampton scored 239-9 from their 53 overs.

Brandon Hanley led the Middleton attack with 6-67 from 21 overs.

Tom Lee accounted for both Middleton openers early on and Little-hampton then picked up wickets at regular intervals. Lee and Amjad Mohsin both took three wickets, while Rive and Heberlein got two each.

Littlehampton entertain fourth-placed Billingshurst on Saturday.

Scorecard on page 98.