Chichester get their eye in at Ifield

Bolstered by the return of Joseph and Goode, captain George Stephens lost the toss and Ifield elected to bat with run machine Raza Ali and Dorrington opening.

Joseph began with venom, and at the end of the first over Ifield were reduced to three for two with both Ali and Dorrington back in the pavilion.

Groves and Rawlins put together a stand before Groves was removed by Matt Geffen, who soon settled into his rhythm taking four for 22 from 13 testing overs.

Sixteen-year-old Rawlins (33) batted with style and panache demonstrating a precocious talent before falling to the guile of Purser (2-40), well caught by Hemingway.

Enter the aggressive Caltsounis, who despatched his first two deliveries for six. Chichester stuck to their task and with aggressive fielding maintained a tight grip on the Ifield innings, where very few singles were possible.

Wickets were taken at regular intervals and with the reintroduction of Geffen and Joseph the innings was wrapped up in 38 overs for 110.

Chichester’s innings faltered after the magnificent Ifield tea. Corrigan (0) and Hasted were back in the hutch after three overs, but Hemingway and Hartard played positively before Hartard was adjudged lbw for a positive and polished 16.

That brought in Stephens, who stylishly began to take the game away from Ifield, driving to all parts of the ground.

After dominating the partnership, he was deceived by a slower ball from Dean and was caught and bowled.

With Jes Goode entering the fray, Beck Hemingway took charge. With excellent concentration and foot movement, he played a faultless innings of 55 not out, guiding the team to a comfortable six-wicket victory and a maximum 30 points.