Hunt's absence is a severe blow for Steyning, whose hopes of avoiding the drop suffered a double setback. Not only did they suffer a 51-run defeat against Littlehampton last Saturday, but fellow strugglers Pulborough had a two-wicket win against St James.

These results mean that second-bottom Steyning are now 15 points behind Worthing, who are immediately above them. Both teams have five matches to play.

For Steyning to have beaten promotion contenders Littlehampton would have been a tall order. But Steyning skipper Andy Stillwell drew some comfort in defeat. He said: "Littlehampton are the best team we've played in the league this season and to have bowled them out was a good achievement. I had no regrets about putting them in as it was a bit wet under the covers."

Any hopes Steyning may have had after dismissing Littlehampton for 177 were brushed aside by Australian Angus Webster's hat-trick. Webster, who returned figures of 5-36 in 11 overs, had Owain Jones and Ben Buckley lbw with successive deliveries and then yorked Ian Simpson. By then Steyning were reduced to 72-7.

Earlier Littlehampton had not had things all their own way. Second-wicket pair Graham Blann and Webster had given the visitors a promising start until John-Paul Stewart and Andy Ridley checked their progress.

Chris Heberlein and Guy Souch halted the slide with a 28-run partnership. The stand was broken when keeper Matt Sewell held a catch from Heberlein to give Stewart his third wicket. Andy Isaacs then chipped in to account for Stuart Hanks and Souch, and ended the innings to finish with 3-11 from 35 deliveries.

Steyning were soon on the back foot when Nick Colley, Stewart and Stillwell had been dismissed by Adam Tester in a six-over spell for 15 runs. Sewell and Hunt joined forces at 31-3 and had almost doubled the score when Benn Challen held a one-handed slip catch from Sewell to give Webster his first wicket.

Even though Webster's hat-trick was the body blow, Steyning refused to lie down. Hunt and Ridley added 31 for the eighth wicket — the best partnership of the innings — after which the brave resistance of last-wicket pair Brian Scholtz and Isaacs was not quite enough to salvage a draw.

-------------------------------------
Click here to go back to Shoreham sport.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Herald: steve.bailey@worthingherald.co.uk