Sam fires Worthing to victory at Bridges

SAM DELANEY blasted Worthing Cricket Club to a six-wicket victory away to Three Bridges on Saturday as they remained second in the table.
Sam Delaney smashed 68 from only 44 balls in Worthings win away to Three Bridges on SaturdaySam Delaney smashed 68 from only 44 balls in Worthings win away to Three Bridges on Saturday
Sam Delaney smashed 68 from only 44 balls in Worthings win away to Three Bridges on Saturday

Delaney smashed 68 from only 44 balls as Worthing chased down Bridges’ total of 149 in only 25.1 overs to pick up all 30 points from the Sussex League Division 2 match.

The win saw Worthing move to within five points of leaders Lindfield and they are now 12 points ahead of third-placed Hastings, who collected 28 points in a 100-run victory against Ifield. Fourth-placed Bridges are now 45 points behind Worthing.

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Worthing have now won four successive matches and skipper John Glover said: “It was a really good win. It was an important toss to win as the pitch was green and damp but we played really well.

“We’re looking really strong and have got the momentum with us. We’ve had a hard run of games but have come out of it well, which has been fantastic and we’ve taken a lot of confidence from it and there’s a buzz around the club.

“Our target is to go up. It would be great to go up as champions but that’s not our first aim and we’ll just continue to take one game at a time.”

After winning the toss, Worthing elected to field first and made early inroads as the dismissals of Conor Golding (two) and Bradley Gayler (nought) left Bridges 11-2.

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Worthing continued to pick up wickets and when opening batsman Joseph Ludlow was caught by wicketkeeper Ian Gooding off John Glover, the hosts were 64-5.

That soon became 89-7 when Benn Challen dismissed James Russell (ten) and Oliver Blandford (12).

Tom Blandford (20) and Michael Rose (ten) added 32 for the eighth wicket, before Matt Blandford hit 26 and put on a 20-run last-wicket stand with Adrian Chappell (two not out) as Bridges were all out for 149 in 43.5 overs.

Challen led the way with 3-24, while Jamie Piper claimed 2-24, Harry Dunn took 2-29 and Shane Felton picked up 2-36 off 15 overs.

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Worthing lost opening batsmen Matthew Green (seven) and Josh Wood (two) early in their reply as they slipped to 26-2.

However, Delaney smashed 68 and Challen struck 26, before Stuart Carter (27 not out) and Gooding (14 not out) guided Worthing home.

Glover said: “We bowled well but 149 was a competitive total. Sam was then fantastic and batted positively. Anything short he capitalised on.”

Worthing entertain local rivals Findon on Saturday.

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