Pagham can't get started - Bognor and Middleton can't get finished

We also have some second XI reports plus news of Sussex CCC’s upcoming visit to Arundel. Pagham v St James Sussex League division two Pagham’s disastrous season continued against St James. Stuart Rutter won the toss and decided to bat but it was not long before they were 10 for three. Only three batsmen managed double figures, Ryan Barratt top-scoring with a gritty 45. Billy Turner-Hogg hit a brisk 29 from 13 balls but Pagham ended all out for 112. Michael Murray, the St James skipper, was the pick of the bowlers with four for 23. Although St James lost wickets at regular intervals they got the required runs for the loss of five wickets. The result could have been different had Pagham not dropped six catches. On a more positive note Pagham’s second XI have won three on the trot and on Saturday a couple of special performances from Nik Tabberrer with the ball (8-89) and Freddie Burgess, smashing 90 from only 35 balls, saw off Steyning. Middleton and Bognor were both thwarted by the weather in their attempts to get results in division two. At Lindfield, Middleton bowled out the hosts for 132 and were in the driving seat. Rain and a lack of interest on their part meant the game did not resume. Middleton got 10 points instead of 30 they would have taken for the win. At Ifield, Bognor totalled 195 all out and had the home side 68 for three before rain left the sides with ten points each. Bognor 2nd v Ifield 2nd 2nd XI Division 3 West Bognor were invited to bat by their guests at the Regis Oval. Bognor began steadily but last week’s centurion Josh Broad was bowled by Josh Basson for 16 and a cluster of batsmen got in and out in quick succession. At 103 for four, Bognor were wobbling slightly but no-nonsense Yorkshireman Ian Ashmore and the wristy flair of Jim Fallick moved Bognor back in the right direction. With the score on 175 for four, Ashmore was bowled for a dogged and doughty 62 but this didn’t deter Fallick as the bearded batsman cut loose to make an imperious century, scoring 104 not out with 18 fours and two sixes to see Bognor to 259 for six declared. For Ifield, Basson, Mahad Ahmed and Rahul Patel bagged two wickets apiece. Ifield began their chase well with a decent 59-run opening partnership before the zesty Josh Broad caught and bowled Mahad Ahmed for 20. Bognor kept chipping away at the Ifield line-up, including Ifield keeper Tim Wragg for 71, snared leg-before by Fallick. At 186 for four, Ifield were very much in the game but fine bowling from the returning pair of Jamie Woolnough (2-36) and the veteran Rich Cox, combined with a run-out saw the visitors in a spot of bother at 209 for nine. Bognor couldn’t prize out the last wicket and Ifield ended on 218 for nine and the game drawn. Fallick was MoM with two for 46 to go with his ton and the 14 points see Bognor nestled in mid-table. Middleton 2nd v Worthing 2nd Middleton seconds got their season back on track with a comfortable win over Worthing. Middleton asked Worthing to bat. Despite losing an early wicket Worthing recovered well to reach 115-1 - with Barry Cool and Tom Lund looking well set. Two quick wickets changed the momentum. Despite a couple of 20s from the middle order, Worthing were all out for 209 with Adam Rawstrone, Brandon Hanley and Anthony Ender taking three wickets a piece. In reply Middleton lost an early an early wicket when Robinson was bowled in the first over. The experienced duo of James Rufey and Stuart Nelmes then steadied the ship before Nelmes was bowled, and at 50-2 the game was in the balance. Harry Pacey and Rufey put on 100 for the third wicket in very quick time. Pacey acted as the anchor as Rufey played the more positive role. Just three short of his hundred, Rufey was run out for 97. By then the game was safe and Ender and Pacey continued the charge which allowed Middleton an easy victory for a much-needed 30 points. Sussex at Arundel The Sussex Cricket Festival at Arundel Castle begins next Wednesday (June 22). It will, for this year, be titled The Arundel Festival of Cricket presented by Irwin Mitchell. It begins with a four-day match against Northamptonshire and finishes on Sunday, June 26, with a T20 game versus Gloucestershire. James Rufey, executive secretary of Arundel Castle cricket, said: “Of course, we are very much looking forward to the Sussex Festival and it is marvellous that Irwin Mitchell are supporting this. As always there has been much interest and we look forward to wonderful crowds and some good cricket.” Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking sports news where you live. 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