Lancing College | Sussex Martlets

Match Report

On a damp day at Lancing College the Martlets had a delayed start but the benefit of an extremely interesting tour of the Chapel to compensate in the morning.

After an excellent lunch skipper Paul Lack won the toss and elected to bat in a reduced 35 overs aside game.

Sam Carter and Diggy Kathiwada visiting from Mumbai opened up for us followed by South African star Bjorn Mordt (32) who set the platform for a good start.

The next pair of Dave Brooks(ex Sussex CEO) and Goodwill Mamhiyo(Zimbabwe star) continued the solid start but it wasn’t until Will Ross joined Goodwill at the crease that the run rate accelerated.

Greg West continued the good work with probably the shot of the day, a fine cover drive for four, to help Goodwill on his way to a memorable 110 not out.

Derek Horsham took the new ball and opened up with a wicket maiden. You will all recall two years ago in this fixture Derek,despite of numerous war wounds and excuses why he couldn’t bowl struggled through to take 9 wickets but this year managed 3 for 37.At the other end Bjorn only conceded 7 runs from 5 overs so the school was under the cosh.

Gradually the school increased the run rate with an excellent partnership between Ballamy(59) and Macfarlane(21) followed by Duncan(29).

Fortunately the spin trio of Henry Rydon 2 for 32(Playing as Dad ‘Will’ didn’t fancy the soft going that morning and pulled a fetlock! ), Goodwill 2 for 18 and Paul Lack 2 for 30 managed to keep the score just out of reach of the school finishing on 175 for 9 so Martlets won by 25 runs

Special thanks to school subs Gareth Roberts and Will who fielded for the Martlets as Daryl Rebbetts was unable to make the game.

The champagne moment goes to Gareth, when after a testing Martlets delivery,piped up from fine leg,somewhere near the chalk works, with a’ he doesn’t like it there’!

Each bowler then proceded to consult Gareth before he returned to bat against the Martlets. Unfortunately after some good tail end resistance with Palmer and Williams Gareth got a ball that he ‘didn’t like there’ either!

Many thanks to the umpires who braved the damp conditions,the scorers and Midge for raising the flag.

Supporters included Chris Snell, Emily (Will’s own fan club) and a few other brave souls.

Special thanks to Raj Maru (ex Hampshire CC) and Chris Crowe (Head of Sport) for an excellent day.