Graham’s injury hinders Clymping’s chase

The visitors were looking for their second win of the season to move off the bottom of the West Sussex Invitation League Division 1 table.

They appeared to be in good shape to do that after winning the toss and restricting St Andrews to 166 in 42.3 overs.

Craig Edwards led the way with the ball as he took 4-7, while captain James Salisbury picked up 2-39 and Paul Challen recorded 2-36.

In reply, Merritt-Blann (36) had made a good start until having to retire hurt.

He did come back out to bat towards the end of their innings but was still struggling to walk and was eventually bowled.

Clymping looked well placed at 78-3, with Craig Edwards also putting on 19 and then Alan Budd scoring 21, but a flurry of wickets saw them crash to 107 all out in 33.4 overs.

Merritt-Blann, having gone back out to bat later in the innings, was the last man out, while four of their other batsmen were out for ducks as they threw away a winning position.

A disappointed Salisbury said: “We were very happy to have restricted them to 166 and we bowled and fielded very well. Craig Edwards in particular bowled very well.

“We were unfortunate in the run chase because Graham was batting really well but had to retire hurt, before coming back at the end hardly able to walk and eventually getting out which knocked our momentum.

“It was our batting yet again which let us down. Anyway, we move on and will look for a victory this coming Saturday.”

Clymping host third-from-bottom Ram on Saturday.