CRICKET: In what has become a tradition between two local villages, Bradenham entertained Shipdham to contest the John Dewing Memorial Cup.

Bradenham had taken the honours on the first two occasions this match had been staged, and Shipdham were looking to add their name to the record books.

With Bradenham batting first both openers opened their accounts with boundaries and things looked ominous for the visitors.

An early breakthrough saw S Goodby remove Gibb for eight. Marcus Evans and Peter Hillsy took the score to 42 before Hills (18) was caught by Peter Dodd. He was to repeat his catching heroics to remove Evans for a well-made 40.

Contributions from Kevin Denmark (32) and Steve Watts (34 not out) were tempered by the bowling figures of Jamie Gasden who returned excellent figures of five for 16 from five overs.

The Shipdham reply suffered an early setback as Gasden was bowled by Ryan Adcock in the second over and the target of 186 looked a long way off.

Lewis Denmark, guesting for the visitors, joined Matty Hammond and the pair looked comfortable as they moved the score to 64 before Denmark was caught and bowled by Ricky Robins for 28.

Hammond continued to anchor the innings and had made 39 before he was caught by Will Dewing off his own bowling. Solid contributions from J Hunt (26) and B Robson (36) set Shipdham up for their first victory in this competition. Goodby and Josh Friend saw the visitors home with two overs to spare.

The camaraderie between the teams was evident throughout as the game was played with the same spirit and sportsmanship that epitomised the man in whose memory this cup is contested.

Bradenham Cricket Club's pre-season efforts under the NatWest CricketForce banner have enabled them to become the proud owners of some new equipment prior to the start of their 2011 campaign.

A set of cricket covers have been made for the club by students at Wymondham College. Jonny Leach, Ryan Findlay, Matthew Hastings and Ryan Moss are all engineering students at the college who received a national engineering scholarship and bursary.

All have an interest in cricket, with Ryan Findlay having a very local connection, and came up with the idea of making the covers as a suitable community project. Funding has been a joint effort between the college and the club with a Sport England grant supporting the club's contribution.

A second Sport England grant has also enabled the club to purchase a new electronic scoreboard.

Equipment suppliers Durrant Cricket Supplies from Lincolnshire support the NatWest CricketForce initiative and offer discounts for participating clubs on equipment they provide.

Proud chairman Tim Evans said: 'All of this equipment is invaluable to the club and demonstrates our enthusiasm and determination to progress the club both on and off the field.

'The hard work of the students from Wymomdham College is especially appreciated. None of this would have been possible however without the help and guidance of the Norfolk Cricket Board and the generosity of Sport England. We are very grateful indeed to both organisations.'

Bradenham's Norfolk Alliance programme starts on April 30. New players — regardless of ability — are most welcome.

For more information regarding the club or for information on the benefits of becoming a club sponsor, contact Tim Evans on 07717 477453.