BRADENHAM were involved in an exciting equal score draw with local rivals Mattishall in the Frankly Digital Norfolk Cricket Alliance Division One on Saturday.

Having lost the toss Bradenham were invited to bat on a wicket which had a green tinge following one or two showers, resulting in the match being reduced to 45 overs from the usual 50.

Openers Kevin Stagles and Steve Matthews got Bradenham off to a solid start with 50 coming up in the 14th over without loss.

The opening stand had reached 88 at the mid innings drinks break and this may have affected Matthews' concentration as he was bowled by Neil Lockwood with the first ball after the resumption. Lewis Denmark soon departed for one and Stagles fell 11 runs later, leaving Bradenham on 101-3 after 28 overs.

Brett Stolworthy and Kevin Blakey had to rebuild for a few overs, progressing the score to 121 with 10 overs left. What followed was an amazing show of clean striking as the pair plundered 102 from the last 10 overs to take Bradenham past their last batting point. Stolworthy (56 not out) and Blakey (67 not out) had put on 121 runs in 16 overs, allowing Bradenham to close on 223-3.

The Mattishall innings got off to a quick start with anything short of a length being punished. The introduction of Ryan Adcock did the trick for Bradenham as he clean bowled Brown for 31, leaving Mattishall 58-1 after 16 overs. Lockwood joined Eastoe-Smith and the pair put on a further 63 before Denmark accounted for Lockwood.

When new recruit Shawn Goodby claimed his first wicket for the club, having Eastoe-Smith caught in the covers for 52, the game seemed to be heading the home side's way.

However Chetwood and Balls then boosted the away side's chances with a 50 run partnership to leave Mattishall needing eight from the final over for victory. Balls was run out from the second delivery and after three singles a wide and a two, Mattishall needed two off the final delivery. The ball was hit to cover point, Marcus Evans gathered and returned to wicketkeeper Matthews who was able to run out Chetwood whilst he was attempting a second run which would have won the game for Mattishall. The game ending in a equal score draw. with Bradenham, sponsored by Trek Highways, picking up 13 points for their efforts.