Lancing Rovers

Sussex Martlets 186

Lancing Rovers 133, Chris Borzoi 4-27, Frankie Ashworth 3-14

Martlet batsmen fell regularly in the morning session to some aggressive left-arm pace and intelligent spin on an uncharacteristically patchy Lancing wicket, and 100 for 5 at lunch did not represent Plan A. Carter and guest Chris Borzoi (a last-minute replacement for the injured Tomsett) repaired some of the damage in the afternoon, but 186 felt far short of a competitive total.

Some fine new ball bowling by Charles Davies and Willie Bickett garnered but one early wicket (caught in a retro-style leg trap), and at 50-1 the Rovers looked to be cruising. Captain Carter then turned to some unknown unknowns: Borzoi of Eastbourne and the 16-year-old Ashworth. You know the feeling when you reach into the pocket of an old pair of trousers and find a couple of crumpled £20 notes? This was even better. 18 overs of aggressive swing bowling at high pace followed, and down went the Rovers. Akers-Douglas behind the stumps snaffled four genuine edges and a gloved bouncer, and victory was sealed with a couple of overs to spare by another irresistible outswinging yorker from Borzoi. Chris Borzoi finished with 4-27, Frankie Ashworth 3-14, and they proudly led us off the field.

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