Bradenham (129) were left licking their wounds after they lost their second match in succession at the Green on Saturday, against an experienced Norwich side (135-7) led by ex-Norfolk player Neil Fox.

Bradenham (129) were left licking their wounds after they lost their second match in succession at the Green on Saturday, against an experienced Norwich side (135-7) led by ex-Norfolk player Neil Fox.

It leaves Brsadenham second in Norfolk Alliance Division One, 11 points behind Diss, whom they visit on Saturday.

After a rain delayed start, Norwich won the toss and elected to bat.

Mark Tipping and Jonny Lear found it difficult to score against the accuracy of Tianne Mostert and Mark Cator with only 24 runs coming at the 23-over drinks break.

Cator was fully refreshed and bagged two wickets in two balls in his last over, having Tipping (14) caught by Gates at slip and the ex-Dereham player Chris Binnie stumped down the leg side by a lightning-quick Matthews.

Bradenham's change bowlers were rewarded when Brett Stolworthy bowled Stacey and Brett Gates removed Horsley, leaving the visitors on 34-4.

Lear and new batsman Hill attacked the bowlers and pushed the score onto 77 before Lear was caught behind for 39 off 114 balls. Veteran Fox joined Hill (18) and attacked the bowlers from the off and soon increased the run rate and scored a valuable 27 runs before being bowled by Patrick Dewing and taking his team to a respectable 135.

It was a case of de déjà vu for Bradenham from the away match against Norwich as wickets tumbled in the first three overs.

Bradenham were left reeling on 7-4 when Stacey (4-27) and Soames dismissed the top order with Matthews and Thurley going on their first balls.

Gates joined Dewing and saw him dismissed for 13 and the scoreboard on 18-5. Ian Gibb joined his captain at the crease and they went about their business in different styles with Gates securing one end and Gibb scoring somewhat freely in the circumstances.

The wily Fox rotated his bowlers looking for the breakthrough, however Gibb secured his maiden half-century for the club, taking the score onto 91 before chancing his arm once too often and was well caught in the deep by Tipping.

Gates (19) soon followed and the momentum swung back in Norwich's favour. Mark Cator and Kyle Goodge increased pressure on the bowlers, taking quick runs and lofting valuable boundaries, getting ever closer to the visitors' total.

Cator (13) holed out in the deep from Roberts (4-33) leaving the hosts 12 runs for victory. Fox brought back the pace of Al Horsley to clean up the tail to see Goodge (12) hit the first two balls for six runs, taking Bradenham towards the finishing line before Horsley made Goodge chop onto his stumps, giving Norwich a well deserved victory. They bowled exceptionally well defending a low score.

Bradenham A, weakened by mass unavailability still managed to achieve a perfect 26 points from their Norfolk League Division Four match against CEYMS.

The rain never arrived and CEYMS chose to field after the covers were removed. Bradenham started steadily with the Evans twins, Tim and Marcus, opening the batting on an initially lively surface. Tim in particular left the ball with class, demonstrating perfect high-arm technique.

Both fell for single figures and at 33-2 off of 16 overs skipper Ian Moody and the in-form Mark Hunter first steadied the ship and then set about the CEYMS bowling as the deck got easier.

Hunter was particularly brutal, hitting 10 fours in his 83 and Moody six in his 54 as they put on 132 to follow their 160 against Great Witchingham the previous Sunday. Clearly they enjoy batting together.

A feature of both stands was the almost unbelievable running between wickets, cheeky singles took at every opportunity. Both fell in quick succession but had set the platform for a final assault.

After Steve Watts went for 10 it was left to 14-year-old Lewis Denmark and Peter Hills to bludgeon the home attack. Denmark was particularly aggressive, scoring 31 in 14 balls, with Hills 13 not out. In the final 27 overs Bradenham had scored 190 for the loss of just three wickets.

CEYMS saw Russell caught by Brown off Al Bates. Martin and D Mickelthwaite repaired the damage but the introduction of Denmark paid immediate dividends, the latter caught and bowled.

The dangerous P Mickelthwaite showed aggressive intentions but was well caught on the boundary by Denmark off Iain Brown and then it went from bad to worse for CEYMS who slumped to 75-5.

A partnership developed between Turner and Martin but the introduction of Moody to the attack proved the catalyst to a swift end as he had Turner stumped by veteran and formerly retired keeper Richie Futter for 16. Gould, Walton, another Mickelthwaite and Parry all came and went, leaving Martin stranded for an excellent 68 not out, carrying his bat.

Moody finished with 4-2 and Brown 3-40 off 12 as Bradenham's ravaged team picked up their first maximum of the season.

Now second, on Saturday they entertain leaders Great Melton A.