Bradenham A suffered a seven-wicket defeat at Rocklands in Norfolk Alliance Division Five.

After a weather delayed start Bradenham were invited to bat and it soon became apparent that conditions favoured the bowling attack as the visitors crawled to 13 runs from 10 overs.

The first three wickets fell for 15 and it was only the arrival of Jamie Hunt to the crease that added momentum to the innings. He was instrumental in moving the score on to 54 before he was caught for 26. Three more wickets fell with the score on 54, as the slow bowlers once again demonstrated their importance in the bowling unit and with eight down an extremely low total looked imminent.

Visiting captain Greg Caffyn made light of the home attack, showing little respect to the bowlers as he hit three sixes in his score of 29. Kevin Denmark (22no) provided the perfect foil at the other end as he also tucked into the bowling and when he was joined by Steve Watts (17) they took the score to a defendable 129 before the latter was run out with two balls to spare.

The visitors' bowling attack suffered a huge blow after opening bowler Caffyn pulled up with a calf injury after one ball and was unable to continue.

Watts (12 overs, 2-15) once again carried the threat, ably supported by Pete Pooley and with the home side on 38-3, including the wicket of Will Defoe, Bradenham knew they had a chance.

With Watts bowled out, the options for the skipper were limited as he utilised the fit again Steve Matthews and two 13-year-olds. Although Matthews and his young bowlers performed admirably they were bowling to two well set batsmen in Walker (41no) and Halls (51no) and they steered the home side to victory in the 36th over.