Beetley’s 10 men turn on the style to claim a superb win
Fakenham players appeal for a wicket at Old Buckenham on Saturday. Picture: Snoya Duncan - Credit: Sonya Duncan
Beetley pulled off a memorable victory with one ball to spare to inflict an unlikely defeat on second placed Reepham & Salle in the Norfolk League Division 2W.
With Beetley second bottom of the table and only eight players ready to go, defeat appeared a formality.
But then the appearance of club stalwarts Keith Daykin and Ady Burton, both making seasonal debuts, took the home side to 10 and brightened the mood.
After being asked to bat first the visitors reached 43-1 off 19 overs and when change bowlers Gary Hinchliffe and Des Curry came on the stranglehold continued. Hinchliffe's bowling all season has been exemplary and courtesy of two Nick Calvert catches and a fine caught behind by keeper Mark Mitchell he had a return of 10-4-17-3 to take his season total to 21.
At the other end Curry maintained his recent return to form with 10-1-20-1. Reepham seemed incapable of upping the tempo and when openers Michael Calvert and Alex Jenkins returned in the 39th over the score stood at only 80 with five down.
Reepham's lower middle order could only add 33 to end their 45 overs on 113-8. Calvert ended with 2-30 and Jenkins 2-23 off their 10 over spells, Beetley's fine effort in the field was highlighted by only one boundary being scored in the final 24 overs and a stunning one handed catch off a skier by Paul Taylor.
Given Beetley's batting struggles this season the chase wasn't going to be straightforward as 16-3 in 16 overs struggling to 45-4 showed. Cameos from Gary Hinchliffe (11) and Nick Calvert (11) helped the cause as did Mitchell's 10 before having to retire hurt.
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Something more substantial was needed and Michael Calvert and Alex Jenkins added 44 in 11 overs, Calvert was bowled for 22 in the 41st over with the score on 84 and then Jenkins virtually singlehanded took Beetley to the brink of victory with some fine hitting before holing out in the final over for 41.
Beetley started it on 109-6, needing just four to win, and Ady Burton strode to the wicket with three required off four balls. A dot ball followed before a squeezed single bought Curry on strike and he and produced a sweetly timed shot off his legs to the mid-wicket boundary to give Beetley a deserved victory by three wickets.
On Saturday Beetley travel to East Harling (1.30pm).
