Angus Webster's return of 5-36 — which included a hat-trick — bowled Littlehamp-ton to a 51-run victory against Steyning at The Memorial Field last Saturday to give Littlehampton a second successive win for the first time this season.

That result means that Littlehampton are eight points behind the leaders, Lewes Priory, whom they meet at The Stanley Turner Ground on Saturday fortnight (August 23).

Afterwards skipper Benn Challen was optimistic about promotion prospects. He said: "We're showing the consistency we need for promotion and we certainly won't be taking Sidley for granted. As things are, I think that four wins from our last six matches should see us get promotion."

Webster played a key role in Littlehampton's latest success. After Littlehampton had been put in, Webster helped Graham Blann add 50 for the second wicket in six overs.

Webster and Challen had put on a further 37 when John-Paul Stewart and Andy Ridley checked Littlehampton's progress.

From a promising start, Littlehampton had suddenly lost half their wickets for 124. Then Chris Heberlein and Guy Souch joined forces.

Their sixth-wicket partnership of 28 was broken when Steyning keeper Matt Sewell held a catch from Heberlein to give Stewart a third scalp.

After Andy Isaacs had quickly accounted for Stuart Hanks and Souch, Luke Vinter and Adam Tester provided a sting in the tail as Littlehampton were assured of a competitive total.

Tester soon had Steyning on the back foot by dismissing Nick Colley, Stewart and skipper Andy Stillwell in a six-over spell for a cost of 31 runs. Sewell and Gary Hunt threatened a recovery which Webster snuffed out.

Webster's first victim, Sewell, fell to a one-handed slip catch by Challen. The body blow came six overs later when Webster had Owain Jones and Ben Buckley lbw with successive deliveries. His hat-trick was achieved when he yorked Ian Simpson to leave Steyning in tatters at 72-7.

Even so, Steyning refused to concede as the old hands Hunt and Andy Ridley provided some belated resistance with an eighth-wicket stand of 31 — the best of the innings. Inevitably Webster broke the stand but Chris Hanks had the last word.

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