Batting masterclass keeps Clymping bottom

The hosts treated their visitors to a batting masterclass as they chased down 214 total for the loss of just one wicket.

Clymping put up a competitive 214-8 in 49 overs, before in reply, despite losing Greg Young (one) with the score on three, Nick Baker and Johann Brouwer both hit unbeaten centuries to ease Southwater home with 217-1 in 29.1 overs.

Clymping captain James Salisbury felt his side’s total was around 35 runs short, but praised the hosts’ fine batting display.

He said: “250 would have been competitive up at Southwater due to the pitch and outfield etc, so it was still a little short, but it was good to get ten points with the bat for the first time this season.

“Unfortunately, we dropped a few chances, including Johann twice, which doesn’t help, but they batted very well.”

Having lost the toss and been put into bat, Clymping’s openers Chris Green (36) and Craig Johnson (62) put on an opening stand of 64.

Johnson and Alan Budd (32) then added a second-wicket stand of 66.

Sixth-man in Paddy Horne added 40 and the extras column totalled 33 as they closed in the 49th over with 214-8.

Paul Osborne (3-41) and Danny Humphries (3-31) did the main damage for Southwater with the ball, before they eased home in their reply.

Baker’s 101 not out from 100 balls included 18 fours and Brouwer’s unbeaten 105 came from 77 balls and included 17 fours and one six.

Clymping host local rivals East Preston on Saturday in a key bottom-of-the-table clash.