Bradenham lost by 59 runs to Cromer on the Green in Norfolk Alliance Division One on Saturday.

Once again, a damp pitch had a large say in proceedings. In Mark Hunter's absence, captain for the day Ian Moody asked Cromer to bat expecting there to be something in the wicket for his bowlers.

This certainly proved to be the case with opener Carey well caught by Wilton off Will Dewing in his second over. At the other end, Al Bates was making life difficult for the Cromer batsmen and change bowler Martin Fox soon accounted for the other visiting opener.

Yet another injury blow however upset the home team with Chad Balluza (back from university for the first time this season) badly pulling a hamstring early in the match and retiring hurt.

The Cromer number three, Charlwood, was making light of the conditions and with the extra space now available in the field, he began to pepper the boundary. When joined at the wicket by Dean Elliot, they put on 42 for the fourth wicket.

Charlwood eventually fell to Will Dewing when he was caught by his father, Patrick, for a well made 61. Most of the remaining Cromer batsmen chipped in to leave the visitors all out for a reasonable score in the conditions of 169.

Will Dewing was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4-35 off 12 overs, with Moody supporting well with 3-48 from 13 overs.

A disciplined approach was required by the Bradenham batsmen in the run chase and with the wicket getting better as the day went on, they were hopeful that this was a total they could successfully pass.

Cromer bowler Robinson was causing problems however for regular openers Stagles and Taylor with his lively first spell. Stagles' stumps were upended in his fifth over for four runs.

Taylor was hitting the ball firmly when he was caught off the bowling of Elliot for 21. Moody became his second victim when he was adjudged lbw and Patrick Dewing his third victim to a simple caught and bowled.

Evans was digging in at the other end however and Bradenham number six Kevin Blakey took the attack to the Cromer bowlers.

In a superb exhibition of controlled hitting, he made 51 off 28 deliveries including seven fours and two big sixes.

For a while it looked like an unlikely result was on the cards but when Blakey fell to an extraordinary catch by Baxter and Evans soon followed, it was not to be.

With Balluza unable to bat, the home team finished on 105 all out with Will Dewing on 13 not out. Elliot's final figures were 5-34 off eight overs.

This was another disappointing performance from the Bradenham batsmen and with the loss of another player to injury, the club are hoping for a change of fortune when they visit Brooke on Saturday.