BRADENHAM CC took on Premier Division side Old Buckenham away in the second round of the Carter Cup on Sunday and, for the second time in two weeks, just failed to chase down a large total, despite a brilliant century from Popes Selowa.

BRADENHAM CC took on Premier Division side Old Buckenham away in the second round of the Carter Cup on Sunday and, for the second time in two weeks, just failed to chase down a large total, despite a brilliant century from Popes Selowa.

For Bradenham, this was a re-run of their recent league game against Norwich where they were set a formidable total by their opponents but finished just short of the mark.

Old Buckenham were asked to bat on a decent wicket - albeit a little damp - but Bradenham's gamble failed to pay off. The two Stolworthy brothers, Brett and Ashley, opened the attack for Bradenham but failed to find the expected movement off the pitch early on. Openers Banham and Perry steadily built their respective innings and despatched anything that varied off line or length to the boundary putting on 114 for the first wicket. Denmark then bowled Banham for a good 61. Alexander then partnered Perry and scored 41 before Bates had him caught. Harrison became Bates' second victim for 22. The Old Buckenham innings finished on 306-4 off their allotted 60 overs with Perry finishing on a classy 122 not out. This was not Bradenham's best performance this season in the field. Gates was again miserly going for only 19 runs off his 12 overs. His performance apart, the figures for the remainder of the Bradenham attack were fairly average and this was certainly going to be a good game to win.

Evans and Denmark opened the innings for Bradenham and steady progress saw them put on 47 for the first wicket before Denmark was caught at square leg trying to pull a short ball from King.

Selowa came in at number three and played in his usual style from the off. Bradenham were again well up with the required run rate and were looking good before Evans was unluckily adjudged to be lbw to a ball which found the inside edge of the bat and was out for 20. Brett Stolworthy soon followed Evans back in the pavilion - himself lbw for two - bringing Kevin Blakey to the wicket. Bradenhams hard hitting captain soon found the middle of the bat with some powerful hitting including two enormous sixes. Selowa was in supreme form at the other end with the score rattling along. With these two at the wicket, Bradenham were always in with a chance but Blakey failed to middle a pull shot and was caught at mid wicket for 38. The onus was very much now on Bradenham's South African player, Popes Selowa to deliver and he did not disappoint, crashing balls to all corners of the ground and with his judgement and quick running between the wickets also being a feature. He was supported well by Ashley Stolworthy and Brett Gates and continued to frustrate the bowlers with superb drives, cuts and pulls. His effort was in vain however as Bradenham ran out of overs to finish on a very creditable 280-9. Selowa himself finished on 134 not out.

This was the second time in as many weeks that Bradenham had finished just short of the mark having been set large totals to chase. Whilst this makes for a splendid game of cricket, recent results have gone against them but with a bit more application in the field, more positive results are certain to come.

Bradenham CC's main sponsor is Blueprint Mortgages Ltd. Match ball sponsor is Trek Highway Services.