Bradenham (8pts) lost to Bradfield (23) by four wickets on The Green in a close encounter in the Frankly Digital Norfolk Alliance Division One.

Bradenham scored a competitive 241 for six wickets and Bradfield chased the target to perfection to win with just seven balls remaining.

The home side's lack of bowling depth was the difference between the teams, with collectively probably a better all-round team performance than the previous week.

Home openers Kevin Stagles and Mike Taylor batted well in adding 94 on a pitch offering every assistance to the bowlers. Taylor was first to go for an excellent 53 with Stagles next out for 42, continuing his good early-season form.

Lewis Denmark (17) and Brett Stolworthy (22) maintained the momentum, before it was left to Mark Hunter to hold the latter part of the innings together as he batted really well before finishing 51 not out.

In the Bradfield reply the youthful opening bowling attack of Brett Stolworthy and Alex Bates deserved considerably more than a wicketless opening spell of 14 overs during which they conceded just 33 runs.

The opening batting partnership of Amies and Register did their team proud in adding 106 for before Ryan Adcock accounted for Amies following an excellent catch by Mike Taylor.

The introduction of Patrick Dewing gave Bradenham some hope with two quick wickets, although at that stage with 90 needed off 20 overs, Bradfield were firm favourites.

An inspired second spell from Alex Bates, again bowling around the wicket, kept the match in the balance as he picked up three wickets to finish with excellent figures, conceding only 34 runs from his 13 overs.

With three overs left Bradfield still needed 22 runs to win, but they were up to the task following an excellent all-round batting display with no one player passing 50. Patrick Dewing returned 2-33 from seven overs.

Bradenham should not be downhearted following this defeat against the strong Bradfield batting line-up. Wides again proved to be a problem, with 25 proving costly, but at least it was an improvement on the previous week.

This week sees the return of local rivals Mattishall to The Green following their promotion from Division Two last season.

Bradenham main sponsors are Trek Highway Services with match ball sponsors W C Littleproud & Son.

Bradenham: K Stagles c-b Yarham 42, M Taylor c Bottwright b Wright 53, L Denmark c Johnson b Harkness 17, B Stolworthy c Bottwright b Abbs 22, M Hunter not out 51, K Blakey c Wiseman b Abbs 11, P Dewing run out 0, A Wilton not out 6; extras 39. Total (6 wkts) 241. Bowling: T Wiseman 4-0-26-0, C Harkness 13-0-65-1, D Yarham 13-4-51-1, J Wright 12-2-45-1, P Abbs 8-0-51-2.

Bradfield: J Amies c Taylor b Adcock 44, D Register b Dewing 47, S Kimber c Stolworthy b Dewing 25, S Bidewell c Matthews b Bates 20, E Botwright b Bates 21, D Yarham not out 24, J Wright c Dewing b Bates 5, P Abbs not out 25; extras 31. Total (6 wkts) 242. Bowling: B Stolworthy 12.5-3-49-0, A Bates 13-1-34-3, M Hunter 6-0-56-0, L Denmark 3-0-19-0, R Adcock 7-0-46-1, P Dewing 7-0-33-2.