BRADENHAM left The Green pointless and disappointed after they were well beaten by nine wickets by Hales in Alliance Division One.

Both sides came into the match with comparable records but it was Hales who left with the spoils.

The toss was crucial, and after losing it Rob Thurley was not surprised that Bradenham was asked to bat.

After hard and dry tracks for a number of weeks, a sharp shower before the match had dampened the top of the wicket.

Batting proved difficult for Staggels and Thurley, Bradenham's opening pair. Hales' opening bowler, Anderson, was hostile and troubled them both with his pace. Lovick from the other end was also lively and both were bowling in the right areas, producing some deliveries which were practically unplayable.

Lovick accounted for both openers and No 3 Hunter, and with in-form Stolworthy following soon after for only two, Bradenham were soon reduced to 25-4.

Veteran Pat Dewing came and went cheaply, becoming Lovick's fourth victim, whilst Brett Gates shouldered arms to an Anderson delivery which cut back viciously to bowl him for four.

Wicket-keeper Evans joined the fray and settled the innings somewhat, getting well behind whatever the Hales bowlers sent down.

Kevin Blakey at the other end was beginning to settle into the form he has already shown this year. Evans was happy to slot into a supporting role whilst Blakey played some controlled but forceful shots — including two huge sixes. Together they took score on to 87 before Blakey was caught at the wicket for an excellent 46 off only 48 deliveries.

Tail-enders Bates and Goodby each went without scoring and finally Evans was out, stumped for a valuable and very patient 15.

The innings closed on a total of 101. Pick of the Hales bowlers was Lovick who finished with 4-35 off 13 overs.

The wicket improved immeasurably as the sun shone and there was much less in it for the Bradenham bowlers.

Nevertheless, opening bowler Stolworthy beat the bat on several occasions without luck, and a catch was dropped early on off Bates.

Hales batsmen Harmer and Arminger made the most of their good fortune however and moved the score to 97 before Goodby had the latter caught behind by Evans for 41. Bradenham's modest total was passed in the 22nd over with Harmer finishing on 36 not out.

This was a match Bradenham must put behind them as they look forward to their encounter at newly-promoted Saxlingham.

Bradenham CC's main sponsor is Trek Highway Services.

Match ball sponsors are WC Littleproud and Son.

Bradenham A (3pts) lost to Old Buckenham A (25) by 126 runs in Norfolk Alliance Division Four

TO complete a miserable day for the club, the A team were well beaten when taking on the league leaders.

In probably the most predictable result of the day it was a difficult task for a Bradenham team which included seven players under 17.

Nevertheless the home side, batting first, were made to fight for their runs on a wicket and outfield slowed by midweek rain.

Steve Watts and Will Dewing both bowled accurate opening spells, although they were unable to effect a breakthrough as Mark Dunnett and Phil King added 83 for the first wicket. Ricky Robins (1 -36 from eight overs), showing a welcome return to form, accounted for King in the 24th over.

It was the 37th over before the next wicket fell with the total 155 as Andy Wilton effected a runout with a fantastic throw from the edge of the long boundary which hit the wicket direct with the batsman well short of his ground.

Iain Brown held on to an excellent catch on the boundary to remove Dunnett for 88. This was quickly followed by Peter Hills who held onto a high catch which swirled in the wind. The bowler on both occasions was Steve Watts, who finished with the creditable figures of 2–47 from 12 overs.

Will Dewing, in his third spell, picked up two late wickets, which he fully deserved in conceding 52 runs from his 12 overs. The young Bradenham team stuck to their task in restricting Old Buckenham to 217 for six from their 46 overs.

The Bradenham reply was more a case of survival rather than chasing the total. It proved a tough ask as a succession of batsman were unable to offer any tangible resistance.

The only real innings of note came from 15-year-old Will Dewing, who batted with maturity and could not be removed as he finished a creditable 27 not out including four fours.

The only other batsman to reach double figures was Peter Hills (13) including a huge six.

They were finally all out in the 36th over for 93.

Bradenham are sponsored by Trek Highway Services and the match ball by WC Littleproud and Son.