2020 Season Match Reports
Lavant vs DACD 20th September
Lavant hosted Rowland Castles’ DACD for the final match of the shortened season. Skipper Robin Burford chose to bat in the fine conditions. Opener Danny Berkley powered his first runs to the leg side boundary but then walked off the pitch to everyone’s surprise having managed to dislodge the bails. The Lavant top order struggled apart from Tom Cole who hit a fine 47. At 66 for 6 DACD were on top but there was a sting in the tail. Phil Allen (30) and Steve Brooker helped Lavant to a healthier 120 for 7. Dave McLean (36) and Brooker (54no) pushed the total on to an imposing 208 for 8 at tea. DACD started strongly with opener Barton hitting a brisk 35 before Peter Hudson took a steepling catch from Cole’s bowling. Mark Hamilton followed up with 2 quick wickets and the wickets continued to fall regularly. Opener Frankland resisted with an unbeaten 27 but Danny Berkley polished off the tail taking 3 for 5 and giving Lavant victory by 100 runs.
Eton-Hennah and Tom Cole batting
Bowling figures
Bowler
T Cole
M Hamilton
C Eton-Hennah
P Hudson
D Berkley
D McLean
Overs
6
7
6
6
4
2
Wickets
2
1
1
1
3
0
Runs
30
40
13
13
5
6
Lavant vs Arundel Grasshoppers 29th August
Steve Brooker won the toss and invited Arundel to bat on a damp surface. Alex Burford clean bowled 3 victims to reduce the visitors to 6 for 3 as Lavant took control. The Bullen brothers repaired the Arundel innings with a 90 run partnership before Chris Bullen was caught by Bradley off Sullivan for 75. The Eton-Hennah’s bowled testing spells before Mark Sullivan’s leg spin claimed 3 for 31 and Arundel finished on 164 for 8. Lavant lost both openers quickly and struggled on the slow pitch. Only 4 players made double figures with 3 duck boys. Paul Budd took 4 for 11 for the visitors. It was thanks to Lee Russell (16) and Alex Burford (11) that Lavant earned a draw to close on 74 for 9.
Alex Burford batting
Lee Russell batting
Bowling figures
Bowler
A Burford
L Russell
C Eton-Hennah
Eton-Hennah
M Sullivan
Overs
11
9
8
8
7
Wickets
4
0
0
1
3
Runs
37
33
31
19
31
Lavant vs Ferring 22nd August
Lavant travelled to Ferring and were asked to field in the blustery conditions after skipper Robin Burford lost the toss. Lavant’s opening bowlers Lee Russell and Ian Rawnsley put Lavant in charge with early wickets but it was Johnny Sullivan who wrecked the Ferring innings taking 5 for 30 in his 11 over spell. Lavant’s bowlers we’re supported by a fine fielding performance with 7 catches, 2 for ‘keeper Robin Burford and 2 run outs. Ferring were all out for 123 which looked to be a below par score. Lavant’s opening batsmen scored quickly with Phil Allen striking 2 sixes before being bowled for 18. Rawnsley fell for 11 and then Dave Burford departed for a first baller. Lavant consolidated as Steve Brooker dug in as Sam Hadnett hit a brisk 25. There was still some work to do when Johnny Sullivan came to the crease. Brooker (37 n.o.) and Sullivan (19 n.o.) were able to secure victory for Lavant by 6 wickets as Sullivan struck the winning runs to cap a fine team performance by Lavant.
Lavant batting
Lavant batting
Bowling figures
Bowler
L Russell
I Rawnsley
J Sullivan
M Sullivan
S Hadnett
Overs
11
5
11
5
1
Wickets
2
1
5
0
0
Runs
41
16
30
31
16
Lavant vs Linchmere 8th August
Lavant welcomed old rivals Linchmere to the village green in sweltering conditions. Opener Hugh Hudson hit a fine 71 and shared a 117 run partnership with Steve Brooker (72) as ‘mere found the going tough in the hot conditions. Dave MacLean hit a brisk 23 and Jamie Hudson impressed with 21 not out as Lavant posted 214 for 3 at tea. Lavant’s opening bowlers, Alex Burford and Dave MacLean attacked with purpose and accuracy to stifle the Linchmere reply. In 2 short spells Burford took 2 for 16 and MacLean returned a miserly 3 for 25 from his 11 over stint. Lavant struggled to break through the middle order as James Varnes countered with an impressive knock and threatened to win the match. Linchmere’s hopes disappeared, however, when Varnes fell on 90 to a fine catch from Burford off Brooker. Lavant almost polished off the tail but were denied by the final pair. Linchmere finished 20 runs short of the total with 1 wicket remaining to earn a hard fought draw.
Hugh Hudson keeping
Robin Burford slip
Steve Brooker Gully
Lavant batting
Bowling figures
Bowler
A Burford
D McLean
P Hudson
M Sullivan
S Hadnett
S Brooker
Overs
8
11
9
6
3
2
Wickets
2
3
1
0
1
3
Runs
16
25
68
43
19
2
Lavant vs Droxford 2nd August
Droxford won the toss and batted first on a hard surface in this 40 over match. Lavant’s opening bowlers Danny Berkeley and Lee Russell gave little away to keep the score in check. Droxford opener Potter’s patience paid off as he plundered the Lavant bowlers for 90 before being run out. Clark with 51 and 31 bowing extras gave Droxford an extra 5 overs to total 230 for 4.
Lee Russell was the pick of the bowlers taking 2 for 30 from 7 overs. In reply Berkley backed up his work with the ball with an aggressive 46 before being caught in the deep. James Stemp fell in similar fashion after a brisk 27. Dave MacLean ruthlessly hit 10 boundaries in his innings of 45. After the departure of MacLean, Lavant lost momentum and hopes fell away with the wickets as the home side were all out for 165 giving victory to Droxford by 60 runs.
Lavant vs Hawkley 19th July
Lavant batted first at Hawkley in a match reduced to 30 overs as the rain cleared. Danny Berkley scored quickly before being caught for 22. James Stemp clattered the Hawkley attack making a fine 70 in a 112 run partnership with Lee Russell offering solid support. Steve Brooker joined Russell and kept the momentum going with 42.
Russell with 38 and Brooker departed to leave Phil Allen with 15 & Dave Burford with 14 to take the Lavant total to 216 for 4 at tea. Hawkley replied with purpose punishing any short deliveries despite a fine spell from Berkley. James Stemp’s pace and accuracy troubled the batsmen but Lavant could not gain control as Hawkley passed the Lavant total with 5 overs remaining.