ARUNDEL Cricket Club’s under-12s crushed Ansty Cricket Club in the final of this year’s Sussex Cricket Festival Under-12 Shield competition.

Both teams qualified for the final having been unbeaten in their divisions, but Arundel proved far superior and recorded a comfortable nine-wicket victory.

Arundel had won all their games, achieving maximum batting points and were just one point off maximum bowling points on their way to the final while Ansty had won four of their five games en route to the showdown.

Having won the toss, Ansty elected to bat first on a good East Preston wicket.

After batting soundly and sensibly for the first 23 overs to leave a solid foundation of 138-3, the lower order rather lost their way.

The last seven wickets fell in just under eight overs, with the addition of only 31 more runs.

Star batsman Morris Ewen top-scored for Ansty with 74 before he was run out and his team posted 170.

Arundel captain Ben Hawkes was the pick of the bowlers with the economical figures of 3-10 and Sam Haigh was just one wicket away from a deserved five-for as he picked up 4-28.

The Arundel batsmen made light work of the run-chase and scored at nearly 10 runs per over as they eased to victory.

Arundel needed just 105 balls to score the required 170 runs to win the match, with the loss of just one wicket on the way.

In-form Michael Kirby-Bott proved pressure didn’t hinder him as he scored his second 50 of the tournament in the final.

He was ably supported by Will Spratt who batted through the innings for 41 not out, and Oliver Dabinett-Jays who hit a quick fire 36 not out off 22 balls.

It was a nice finish for the Under-12s after an indifferent season in the league where they finished sixth out of eight.