One win could have been two for Chichester Priory Park

Chichester captain Mark Bamford was reluctant to discuss Saturday’s performance but did say: “Having won the toss and reduced the visiting side to 130 for five everything appeared to be going to plan.

“A realistic worst-case scenario would have to chase 180 from such a position of dominance, but to end up taking no further wickets and chasing 259 was extremely disappointing.”

Kashif Ibrahim top-scored with an unbeaten 77 and commanded his team to an easy victory as Chichester were blown away for just 119, with the home side collecting not a single point from the game. Carl Simon proved the chief tormentor of Chichester as he claimed five for 51.

However, Sunday was a different day and with a somewhat weakened team Chichester found themselves in the field once more as the Sussex Development X1 elected to bat.

However, that decision proved a poor one in the face of some fine bowling from Steve Sedgley (3-19) and Matt Geffen. The pair reduced the visitors to 25 for five and there was effectively no way back from there.

Bamford bowled his miserly spin for one for 45, but it was James Stedman who did the damage at the other end on his way to three for 27. The reintroduction of Geffen (3-33) saw the final wicket fall with the score on just 126.

The fact Sussex were able to reach 126 was thanks mainly to 32 from Jack Parsons and 41 from Finn Hudson-Prentice, but their efforts were in vain as Chichester reached the victory target for the loss of just four wickets.

Bamford contributed with a rumbustious 20 at the start of the innings, but the main run scorers were Jonny Haynes (50no) and Justin Scott (27no).

To suggest that the victory was a formality would be a little disingenuous as the Sussex Development X1 did bowl well in spells, but they were unable to break the crucial partnership forged by the Chichester duo.

So 30 points out of 60 ultimately proved a satisfactory return for Chichester, but they must be more consistent if they want to rise from their mid-table position. Their next game is at home to Eastbourne.