North Elmham (5pts) lost to Rollesby (25pts) by 56 runs in Norfolk League Division Six.

For the first time this season, acting captain Anthony Keeble won the toss for North Elmham and decided to put Rollesby in on a greenish looking wicket –the last thing that really went Elmham's way.

With holidays still taking their toll, the bowling was opened by Elder Grobbelaar and Grant King. The Rollesby opening batsmen Hewitt and Fakes punished anything loose and kept the scoreboard ticking over with quick singles.

There was not a great deal in the pitch for the Elmham bowlers and the quick outfield made certain that boundaries were fairly common. Grobbelaar in particular was getting both openers to play and miss without any luck.

Websdale and Keeble came into the attack and Keeble achieved success immediately when he trapped Hewitt lbw for 10 on 42-1.

Catchpole and Fakes added 40 before Fakes was excellently caught in the gulley by Elmham newcomer James Dagless off Andy Kay for a well-crafted 62.

Barnden and Catchpole set about the bowling to add another 37 before Catchpole was bowled by Andy Kay for 28. Bowling changes at both ends brought Aiden Goward and Callum Tindall into action with spin at both ends. Tindall finished with 2-26 off his six overs.

Dagless bowled his first overs for the side at quite a lively pace but was a little inaccurate at times. He finished with 2-30 off five overs although the batting was a typical run chase in the last five overs.

Rollesby finished with 173-7 off their 45 overs, which appeared out of the reach of below-strength Elmham.

Elmham openers Olivier and King started confidently, hitting any loose balls for boundaries, although King had to change his bat in the fourth over and Olivier was dropped at mid wicket off a real skier.

Olivier was out shortly afterwards to an excellent low catch by Rossey off Barnden for 14. Slabbett hit two from his first delivery, but playing across the line to a straight ball that kept a little low was bowled by Flett second ball.

King edged a drive to be caught behind for 18. Websdale grafted away for a while but Keeble, lbw, did not trouble the scorers.

Dagless and Websdale slowly advanced the score until Websdale was caught for 10 off Browning.

Tony Garrod and Dagless started taking some chances, one mighty six from Garrod hitting well up the Pavillion roof. The Rollesby bowling was too accurate to take many chances, Catchpole delivering six maidens in his 12 overs.

Garrod was out for 16 off the bowling of Catchpole and Dagless was caught off Browning for an encouraging 21.

The tail wagged slightly with Kay hitting 11 including a mighty six off a really hard top edge and Grobbelaar chipping in with 12 including hitting the bowler back over his head for four with his first delivery.

It all petered out leaving Elmham all out for 117 off 39 overs. It was a well-deserved win for Rollesby, their bowlers in particular made far better use of the conditions than Elmham, bowling a good accurate line and length most of the time – a lesson that Elmham could do well to learn.

Next game at home to Horsford C, start 2pm.