Petworth Park

SUSSEX MARTLETS vs PETWORTH PARK 23rd August 2026 Match Report (Willy Boulter)

After the excitement of the Club Day at Arundel on the Friday, the Martlets arrived at the almost equally picturesque Petworth Park ground, with its stunning views of the South Downs, and, from one end, the stately home apparently modelled on Versailles. Skipper Michael Murray agreed a format of a 75 overs game with the option for the first side to bat up to 40 overs.
The Martlets batted first: Ben Whelpton and Sam Theodoridi built up a very promising partnership, after your humble scribe had hit one straight to cover. Sam was in aggressive mood, and it took “a very good ball” (his description!) to conclude his innings at 33 (off 28 balls) with seven boundaries. Meantime Ben hit the rope the same number of times in his 42 (off 46) before he unfortunately nicked one behind.
Nick Beechy (21) and Stuart Ritchie (6) added some useful runs at a slightly more sedate tempo before both becoming victims of Eve Atkins. George Bryans hit out with 35 off 39 balls, but the batting star was Akeem Jordan, our very own “pro” (the overseas player from West Chiltington), who scored an assured 55 from 37 balls, hitting three 6s with almost effortless elegance and five 4s. Despite George and then Johnny Wills getting out (the latter for a first ball duck – he would redeem himself bowling !), the Martlets reached a decent 215 in 35 overs and Michael declared, leaving us 40 overs to capture the 10 wickets for victory, or Petworth to overhaul the total. Among 9 bowlers used by Petworth, Ted Carter was the pick, taking 3-26 in 5 overs, whilst Eve Atkins bowled tidily for 2-18 off her 5. The fielding was keen and accurate throughout.
We were treated to wonderful hospitality from the Petworth catering team and enjoyed a wide range of cuisine for tea, including chicken rolls and spicy sauce, before taking the field with eager anticipation, not least for Tom Whyte opening the bowling. This he did very tidily, his 5 overs going for 5 runs; the openers Lee Soar and Harry Gilchrist accumulated well, hitting straight and powerfully for a partnership of 70. One or two shots went close to hand but it took the introduction of Johnny Wills, with his left arm variations, to get the first wicket, the skipper taking a comfortable catch (he always makes them seem easy !) at deep mid-on to see off Gilchrist for 26.
This brought in the left-handed Fred Primmer at No.3 who looked very assured and quickly began driving the score. If Lee Soar had stayed with him who knows what might have happened, but at 101-1 Soar on 51 miscued another wily Wills delivery and Nick Beechey took the awkwardly spinning ball at cover. Johnny finished 7 overs with 2-32, a very creditable spell from our man in Jersey.
After the break for drinks at 20 overs, the introduction of Ben Whelpton ratchetted things up a level for the Martlets – Luke Sutherland was bowled for 2 and then Tom Creed looked aggrieved at being given out lbw (plumb by most accounts !) – there is always next year, Tom ! The key wicket was Primmer, who looked in fine form and had hit five 4s and a 6: with the score at 152 he hit Ben firmly but uppishly dead straight and Rob Burgh took the important catch midway to the boundary. George Bryans gave good support to Ben at the other end, though had some difficulty bowling to the left-hander (“we don’t have any at West Chilts”), and gave a few challenges to Akeem, keeping wicket. With 2-25 off 5 overs George helped finish the home innings off at 163.
In the bar, Chairman David Whelpton didn’t wait but bought his son’s jug at once (Ben took 5-19) and we enjoyed some post-game conviviality, complete with the customary “bon mots” from our opening bowler ! All in all, a lovely day at Petworth Park, a club getting stronger every year under Ian Pinnock as Director of Cricket, who kindly umpired the whole game: many thanks to him and Jeremy Beckwith for standing in the hot sun, also Richard Prokopovicz, who scored expertly. The Martlets look forward to next year’s contest in this lovely location !