Chris Rogers put Middlesex in a position of strength after the second day of their LV= County Championship Division One encounter with Sussex at Lord’s.
The Middlesex captain made an unbeaten 93 while half-centuries from Joe Denly and Eoin Morgan - with 67 and 52 not out respectively - moved the hosts to 229 for three at the close.
Rogers added 145 with Denly and 77 alongside Morgan to take Middlesex within 54 runs of Sussex’s first-innings total with seven wickets remaining.
Earlier, Tim Murtagh completed his first five-wicket haul of the season as Sussex were bowled out for 283.
That was a good effort considering they were 33 for four at one stage, and their tailenders continued the recovery by adding a further 41 to the overnight score of 242 for eight.
Steve Magoffin and James Anyon secured a second batting point before their partnership of 36 came to an end as the latter became Murtagh’s fifth victim; he chopped a short ball on to his stumps.
Chris Rogers puts Middlesex in command against Sussex by edging towards a second successive championship century
Monty Panesar made an entertaining 15 to add to Middlesex’s frustration before the England spinner steered a short ball from Gareth Berg to Ollie Rayner at second slip.
Magoffin ensured it was Sussex’s morning by trapping Sam Robson lbw for a duck in the second over as Middlesex reached lunch on 32 for one.
It could have been worse for the hosts, with Denly dropped twice in the slip cordon by Joe Gatting and Ed Joyce - both times off Anyon - when still in single figures.
The former Kent batsman continued to ride his luck as Anyon beat the bat numerous times during a fiery opening spell.
Denly made the most of the good fortune, reaching his half-century off 85 balls with eight fours.
Rogers followed in the next over with his fifty coming from 79, including five fours, as the pair brought up their 100 partnership.
Panesar made the breakthrough just before tea when Denly offered no shot and was given lbw for 67.
Dawid Malan went three balls later, caught at second slip by Joyce for one to give Anyon the wicket he deserved.
Normal service resumed after tea, however, with Rogers rarely looking troubled as he sought a second consecutive championship century.
He was denied the chance to complete it before the close when bad light brought an end six overs early.
Morgan reached his half-century with consecutive fours off Anyon in the final over before play was suspended; the England batsman hit six fours and a big six off Panesar.
Source: www.ecb.co.uk
Watford General Hospital's Starfish ward receives £2,000 from hotel (From Watford Observer) - Watford Observer
Watford General Hospital's Starfish ward has received £2,000 from Watford Hilton hotel
3:48pm Thursday 31st May 2012 in News 
A hotel in Watford has donated more than £2,000 to the children’s ward at Watford General Hospital.
Neil Shears, manager of the Hilton in Elton Way, visited the ward on Friday, May 25, to present the cheque to staff at the Starfish Ward.
The ward is currently running a campaign, named Light the Lighthouse, in an attempt to raise £10,000 to improve the service they can offer to sick children and their families.
Zoey Pullar, a senior sister on the ward, said: "Lighthouse is the high-dependency area of our ward where children who require high-intervention care are nursed.
"These children can be acutely unwell and admitted in emergency situations.
"They receive highly-specialised treatment in this area and are constantly monitored until their condition stabilises.
"The nursing and medical intervention for these children is high and in order to enhance the level of care already being received we have identified items of medical equipment which would really help to improve the service.
"Therefore the Hilton hotel’s commitment and donation received today will add a real push to our efforts."
Staff and guests at the hotel have raised the cash over the past year through sponsored events and raffles.
Mr Shears said: "I’m delighted to be able to present this cheque on behalf of the Hilton’s Community Foundation, and add some real motivation to the ward in their fundraising efforts over the summer.
"We take pride in our ongoing commitment to Watford General’s Starfish Ward and look forward to seeing the real benefits to its young patients in a few months time."
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Reg Edit says...
4:15pm Thu 31 May 12
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4:16pm Thu 31 May 12
Source: www.watfordobserver.co.uk
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