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A weekend washout – so no West Sussex cricket to report, right? Wrong! We have news of some games that at least started (one of which enabled a West Wittering bowler to take his 1,000th wicket) and one that even finished. Plus there’s positive news from the junior sections of Aldwick CC and Southwick CC. All the reports are here...

It was an evening of celebration at the Felpham Oval as Aldwick CC launched their Richmond Motor Group junior cricket sponsorship – and marked a remarkable season for the club’s young guns.

The evening kicked off with a final hurrah for the children attending All Stars and Dynamos Cricket.

All Stars and Dynamos are national programmes for children aged 5-8 and 8-11. All Stars introduces younger children to cricket skills while Dynamos is about them using those skills in a game before they progress to competitive junior cricket.

Aldwick CC's massed junior ranks with club officials and sponsors, the Richmond Motor Group | Picture: Aldwick CC

Richmond Motor Group presented All Stars and Dynamos medals to the next generation.

Aldwick CC Chairman Ollie Smith said: “We are absolutely indebted for the investment Richmond Motor Group have made with the club.

"To see all our juniors wearing Richmond-sponsored kit is something the club are very proud of, and we hope this is the start of a long-term relationship with one of Bognor’s most established businesses.”

The sponsorship has given every junior member a new kit to wear and Aldwick CC’s junior cricket lead, Lara Johnson, explained what it really meant.

West Wittering 2nd XI captain Kev Allsobrook (centre) celebrates taking his 1000th wicket with his team-mates - in a match ended early by rain | Picture: Chris Hatton

“This sponsorship is invaluable, it has allowed us to fast-track our plans to move away from cricket whites and make cricket more accessible and inclusive for all children,” she said.

"Wimbledon has been in the news for allowing female athletes to wear dark undershorts, but this has been a focus across multiple sports for a few years.

"We’ve now been able to move to coloured kit for all junior teams, without alienating girls or having to pass the cost on to families. It has made a huge difference; the juniors love their kit and we’re immensely grateful.”

The club invited every All Star, Dynamo and Junior member to a barbecue which also featured the most eagerly anticipated match of the season in the Newbury Sussex Junior Cricket League as Aldwick U11 Scorchers faced the Aldwick U13 Vixens.

Southwick CC's two family pairings - Adam & Fin Walter played for the 1st XI on the same day mother & son Frances Block & Fin Metcalfe-Martin played for the twos | Picture via Chris Winter of Southwick CC

Ian Guppy, from Aldwick CC, spoke with pride about the event and the whole club.

“We have literally ‘risen from the ashes’ (after a devastating fire a few years ago) and it fills us with great pride to be entering the Sussex Junior Cricket Festivals for the first time in our history this summer,” he said.

"The club are, as always, thankful for every parent, volunteer and player that assisted in making this special evening happen.”

Aldwick celebrate with hundreds of junior cricketers – and Kev celebrates his 1,000th wicket