Invitation League round up: Southwater win at Felbridge to go top after rain-affected weekend

Batting first at Felbridge, the visitors made 185 all out which in the end proved just enough. Run machine Johann Brouwer hit another half century and Paul Osbourne top scored with 81. Felbridge are known as a strong bowling side and their batting again proved their Achilles heel as they were dismissed for 166 with overs running out. Lots of dropped catches meant for an exciting if not a high quality match. So a good win for Southwater as they now lead Arundel with a game in hand. Arundel beat lowly East Preston at home and sit in second despite having lost three times. Ram won at struggling Clymping whilst the weather ruined West Chilt’s big pavilion opening. Only five overs of the home side’s innings were possible against previous leaders St Andrews. In Division 2, two Worthing sides lead the way. Chippingdale stay top despite not playing as Broadbridge Heath’s game at struggling Storrington was washed out with only eight overs played. Broadwater beat Three Bridges III to move into second, whilst Horsham Trinity and Scaynes Hill also picked up wins over Selsey and Crawley Eagles III respectively. Hosts Trinity won the toss and put their visitors into bat, and Selsey reached 164-9 from 49 overs, Nick Horner top scoring with 40. Trinity bowler Jake Deoraj was the pick with figures of 3-23, and in reply they got the win in 41 overs for the loss of four wickets. Andy Petch top scored with 67 and Jack Gold was 58 not out. In Division 3, Barns Green continue to falter losing at home to Brighton and Hove III. Losing the vital toss in damp conditions, Green batted first but despite Danny Conway and Jim Dunbrill making 40s, the team subsided to 165 all out. Despite losing both openers in their 20s, Brighton got home with eight wickets to spare. Aldwick are top after a home win against Clayton & Belgrave Adelaide. Division 4 leaders West Wittering still look good for a fourth successive promotion despite a third draw in a row - this week against big rivals and nemesis West Chilt II. Chilt, who have accompanied Wittering on their three successive promotions, were inserted and definitely had the worse of the conditions. Three batsmen made 31 but the visitor’s 167-9 was certainly achievable for the powerful Wittering line up. However in drying conditions, Chilt’s bowlers stuck to their task with veteran Andrew Cantrell and his more youthful counterpart Dougie Glynne-Jones doing the main work. Glynde-Jones picked up four wickets and Ben Miller a brace as the home side finished eight runs short and eight wickets down, Wittering captain Carl Tupper making another half century. West Chilt captain Craig Pulling was pleased with the effort put in on the coast. He said: “We didn’t want our friends braking the hoodoo we’ve had over them in recent years! Keen to continue these matches so need to ensure we start winning games now to keep on their coat tails.” Elsewhere in Division 4, Partridge Green claimed their first win of the season away at Southwater II. Green captain Ant Eely claimed fine figures of 7-32 as the home side were dismissed for 129, Bryan Streeter top scoring with 29. In reply Joe Tourle hit 46 runs as Partridge Green reached 130-6 from 36.2 overs for their first victory of the season.