Billingshurst open up a lead at top of the table
Billingshurst opened up a lead at the top of Division 2 as they kept up their 100 per cent start to the season on Saturday.
They made it four wins from four with a 46-run victory away at basement boys Goring.
That combined with St James’s first defeat - coming at the hands of Burgess Hill - meant they dropped points for the first time this season and dropped to third with Hastings moving up to second.
Solid middle order knocks from a number of ‘Hurst players - Jordan Willoughby (38) and Paul Osborne (35) the standouts - saw them post 198 all out in 43 overs after winning the toss.
Osborne then claimed 3-21 with the ball as they bowled out their hosts for 152 in 38 overs
Things didn’t get off to the best of starts for Billingshurst as openers Louis Storey (four) was trapped lbw by Ross Baumann (3-38) and Josh Wood was run out for a duck.
Willoughby then led the fight back as Stuart Barber (26), Scott Stratton (25), Sam Dobson (30) and Osborne all added crucial runs in between some good bowling from Ben Cartwright (3-41).
A late 12 fom number ten Tom Alexander helped ‘Hurst to a solid 198.
In reply, Goring openers Alex Maynard (13) and Cartwright (28) made a solid start, before being dismissed by Andy Barr (2-37) and Osborne respectively.
Third-man in Danny Pittham added 29, before a flurry of wickets as Osborne, Williams (2-29) and Storey (217) did the damage. The latter also took the key wicket of Stuart Carter (32) who looked settled and with that, Goring crumpled to 152 all out.
Billingshurst were knocked out of the Twenty20 Cup on Sunday with 28-run defeat to Bognor Regis.
Visiting opener and captain Ryan Maskell smashed 114 runs in his side’s total of 170-6 after the won the toss, with Joe Ashmore adding 22.
In reply, Jordan Willoughby made 40 and Stuart Barber (62) before being run out as the home side replied with 142-7.
Billingshurst were knocked out of the Sunday T20 Cup with 28-run defeat to Bognor Regis the following day.
Visiting opener and captain Ryan Maskell smashed 114 runs in his side’s total of 1706 after they won the toss, with Joe Ashmore adding 22. In reply, Jordan Willoughby made 40 and Stuart Barber (62) before being run out as the home side replied with 142-7.