It’s very friendly – but a bit strange – as Chilts resume
West Chiltington and Thakeham Cricket Club took to the field for the first time this season last Saturday.
Hand sanitisers and cordoned-off areas were visible at Chilt’s main ground where their twos hosted Findon’s twos. It went to the wire as the home side won.
The visitors batted first and made a competitive 212-8 off 40 overs.
Alex James, Owen Cave and Jamie Lewis all fell just short of half centuries as Chilt’s kids and oldies shared the wickets. Malcolm Fitzgerald took two as he kept up his record of playing in every one of the merged clubs’ seasons dating back to 2001.
In reply, the hosts coasted as debutant Ed White and youngster Benji Jackson excelled.
At the Long Furlong, Findon and Chilt’s ones played out a more one-sided affair.
The visitors made 260-4 off 40 overs with new club coach Matt Machan hitting 50 and Reuben Taylor 108*.
In reply, no Findon batter reached 20 as all-rounder Ludo Milne grabbed 5-19 the first time he had bowled for the first XI. Lyle Aichroth bagged 2-9 off four overs.
At Abingworth in Thakeham, Chilt’s thirds overcame Findon thirds by 100 runs. The hosts piled up 299-5 off their 40 overs. Debutant Ollie van Noort and Alfie Batchelor hit contrasting centuries.
Chilt’s fourth XI won in Hove against Goldstone Caners by six wickets. Ben van Noort hit a half century and Jack Shaw took three wickets.
The club’s Sunday XI overcame Brighton Malayalee at Abingworth. Colts Maisie Taylor (four wickets) and Jacob Fearon (three) helped restrict the visitors to 165 all out. Archie FaircloughWood’s
unbeaten half century saw them home.
The club also had an intraclub match on Sunday.
The colts were also back in action. Their strong under-18 suffered a loss at home to Stirlands while the U12s lost to Horsham. However the U15s overcame Roffey.
Chilt’s overworked fixture secretary Dan Barnes said: “I thought I’d finished this job for the season but this year, we’re all having to do it twice! Great to see cricket finally being played.”