Invitation League round up: Southwater knock Arundel off the top and St Andrews take their place

St Andrews (Burgess Hill) are the new leaders of West Sussex Invitation League Division 1 after a 59-run home win over bottom club Clymping.
Nick Baker scored a half century in Southwater's win over Arundel. Pic Steve CobbNick Baker scored a half century in Southwater's win over Arundel. Pic Steve Cobb
Nick Baker scored a half century in Southwater's win over Arundel. Pic Steve Cobb

Saints batted first and were rolled over for just 166 by their visitors, who had won the toss. However Clymping only just got over 100 with Hayden James and Alex Ellis bagging nine wickets between them.

Unbeaten Southwater demolished the previous leaders Arundel at Southwater Rec.

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The powerful Southwater top order finally clicked into gear - ‘keeper Greg Young and Nick Baker both made half centuries and Johann Brouwer an unbeaten ton - in their 249-1 off 41 overs declared.

Despite Joel Crook’s half century, Arundel collapsed to 126 all out and their third defeat of the season.

Felbridge won at fading Ram in Crawley and the final game saw Littlehampton and East Preston draw at EP.

The table is starting to take shape at last. Basement side Clymping are 12 points adrift of second bottom East Preston with Ram five points further ahead.

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St Andrews have a nine-point cushion over Southwater. Arundel are third (despite three losses), 14 points behind Saints with Littlehampton a further five points behind.

West Chilt, who had a week off, are fifth and Felbridge makes up the rest. St Andrews, Arundel and Littlehampton have played a game more than the other sides.

Next week, the leaders visit unbeaten West Chilt and will be the first away side to officially use their new pavilion facilities.

Nick Herbert MP is opening the fantastic new structure before the match with a barbecue and England’s World Cup game following the game.

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Speaking ahead of the event, West Chilt chairman Neil Miller said: “Many committee members have been working extremely hard to ensure we hit the 14th and I’d also like to thank our adult and colts sides for bearing with us in some pretty mixed early season weather.

“It will be worth it, I can assure everyone. It looks beautiful and fits so well into the village surroundings.”

Arundel hosts East Preston next weekend, Clymping play Ram and Felbridge hosts Southwater.

In Division 2, Broadbridge Heath and Crawley Eagles III played out an exciting draw at BBH.

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Heath posted 257-7 having been put in. Tom Endacott top scored with 76 and four other Heath batsmen posted useful contributions.

Eagles made a decent fist in reply reaching 244-8.

Broadwater won comfortably at Scaynes Hill and Chippingdale maintained their good start with a win at Three Bridges III. Storrington’s game at Selsey was cancelled.

Barns Green lost at Southwick in Division 3 and there were also wins for Brighton and Hove III, Clayton & Belgrave Adelaide and Eastergate.

In Division 4, leaders West Wittering remain miles ahead despite a second successive draw - this week at Felbridge.

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The hosts were nine down when Wittering ran out of overs. There were also wins for local sides Southwater II at Arundel II and West Chilt II at home to Horsham III.

Down in Division 6, Steyning III dominated Three Bridges IV, winning by 79 runs at Southgate.

Steyning batted first and got off to a flyer thanks to Dan Bone, who smashed the opening bowlers to all parts to hit a fine 80 before he fell victim to spinner Mark Dunford (3-29).

Steyning then lost three quick wickets but Mark Sallis (42) and youngster Christopher Barnett (23 not out) got the innings back on track and saw Steyning finish on 179-5 from their 40 overs.

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Bridges cause was not helped by a number of dropped catches.

In reply, Bridges got off to slow start and were always chasing the game when Neil Elsey and skipper Mike Ripley fell early on.

Youngster opener Arran Brown was the mainstay of the innings, hitting 21.

Meredydd Haynes, Luke Johnson, Dunford and Iain Roe all reached double figures but tight bowling from James Osman (2-11 from 7.5), William Buckley 1-4 from 7), Dave Colman (3-37) and George Isaacs (2-24) saw Steyning bowl the home side out for just 100.