BRADENHAM (25 points) secured a fine Alliance Division One home win against Topcroft (6) in a tight finish on The Green on Saturday on a flat track and quick oufield on which Popes Selowa scored a century for Bradenham, his second ton of the season.

BRADENHAM (25 points) secured a fine Alliance Division One home win against Topcroft (6) in a tight finish on The Green on Saturday on a flat track and quick oufield on which Popes Selowa scored a century for Bradenham, his second ton of the season.

Kevin Blakey lost the toss but the home team were surprisingly asked to bat first by Topcroft.

Opener Matthews was the first to go, lbw to the lively Todd for eight, closely followed by Evans for 11, also lbw to Topcroft's overseas player, Ndhlovu.

Coming in at No 3 Bradenham's counterpart, Popes Selowa, continued his fine form with the bat and runs began to flow.

Denmark became the third victim to an lbw appeal when he was out to J Goodfellow for 11.

Rob Thurley at No 5 immediately showed that he is now beginning to find form since returning from university. He began to find the boundary regularly whilst Selowa was ruthless with anything overpitched or short. Thurley was bowled by Nobbs for a very good 41.

Mark Hunter continued to push the score along with Selowa before he became yet another victim to an lbw appeal and was out for 33. Blakey hit a quickfire 13 and Dewing added six before Selowa was eventually run out for a superb 102 in the last over.

Bradenham finished with 239-7 which perhaps could have been more given the conditions.

Both Topcroft openers were soon back in the pavilion with the score on 18, Brett Stolworthy having them both caught in his opening spell.

The wickets dried up and the task became even harder in the hot afternoon sun for the Bradenham bowlers.

In particular, Topcroft's left-hander, J Goodfellow was playing superbly with Ndhlovu at the other end also playing some classy drives.

Hillier made the vital breakthrough, having Ndhlovu trapped lbw for 40.

Rob Thurley was brought into the attack and capped a fine personal performance by taking four of Topcroft's middle order wickets, including Goodfellow for a fine 77.

Brett Stolworth came back for his second spell and removed two of the tail-enders.

With overs were running out young Topcroft player Nobbs was doing his best to frustrate the bowlers, but with only three balls left in the match, he was unable to keep a Stolworthy delivery down and was caught at gully by Evans to secure the win, with Topcroft finishing on 193 all out.

Pick of the bowlers was Brett Stoilworthy with a well deserved 5-32 and Rob Thurley with 4-43.

Bradenham entertain highly placed Swardeston A on Saturday on The Green.

Bradenham CC's main sponsor is Blue Print Mortgages. Match ball sponsored by Trek Highway Services.

Bradenham: M Evans lbw A Ndhlovu 11, S Matthews lbw I Tood 8, M Selowa run out 102, L Denmark lbw J Goodfellow 11, R Thurley b J Nobbs 41, M Hunter lbw R Marshall 33, K Blakey b R Marshall 13, P Dewing not out 6, B Stolworthy not out 0; extras 14. Total 239-7.

Bowling: R Marshall 13-3-38-2, I Tood 10-0-68-1, A Ndhlovu 13-1-45-1, J Goodfellow 10-1-60-1, J Nobbs 4-0-22-1.

Topcroft: C Hancock c S Matthews b Stolworthy 14, M Goodfellow c P Dewing b Stolworthy 4, A Ndhlovu lbw D Hillier 40, J Goodfellow b R Thurley 77, C Barber b R Thurley 9, I Tood c L Denmark R Thurley 0, R Marshall b R Thurley 6, H Windridge c M Selowa b Stolworthy 12, C Taylor lbw Stolworthy 1, J Nobbs c M Evans b Stolworthy 4, I Holmes not out 1; extras 25. Total 193.

Bowling: B Stolworthy 9.4-3-32-5, B Gates 7-2-23-0, D Hillier 10-2-38-1, R Thurley 13-0-43-4, L Denmark 10-0 -49-0.