Runs flow and wickets tumble

Bradenham continued their run of close finishes, just getting the upper hand in a tense finish at Ingham.

The home team started the day at the bottom of the table but looked far from that as they went into the last over needing just 10 to overhaul Bradenham's total of 238-8.

Alex Bates excelled, bowling a tight line, and received great support from his fielders with two run-outs as Norwich finished four runs short with six wickets down.

The Bradenham innings was built around a solid innings of 94 not out from Brett Stolworthy who started fluently with three early fours as he raced to 30. He and Lewis Denmark repaired the damage after openers Kevin Stagles (9) and Steve Matthews (11) both fell in the ninth over with the total 27.

They had taken the total to 111 in the 29th over, at which point a large total loomed with such a strong batting line up to follow. However, a loss of concentration cost Denmark his wicket for 36.

Mike Taylor looked in good form and had reached 24 before being adjudged lbw. Two further quick wickets reduced the total to 170-6 with 11 overs left.

Disappointingly, the remaining overs yielded only 68 runs despite useful contributions from Mark Hunter (14), Rob Thurley (15) and Shawn Goodby (7 not out). Stolworthy was left agonisingly six runs short of his first league century.

On a good wicket with a short boundary on one side, early wickets were crucial for Bradenham. Alex Bates accounted for the dangerous Mark Tipping with the total 43 in the 10th over.

Captain Mark Greller survived a confident appeal for a catch at the wicket first ball. Rob Thurley, back from university, accounted for Jessop with the score 82, and when Greller was well caught on the boundary by Kevin Stagles with the total 120 just after the drinks break, the game was back in the balance. This was a first wicket for the club by Shawn Goodby.

The dangerous Hawkins and Chris Binnie built what looked to be a match-winning partnership with Bradenham sticking to an all-seam attack. They were finally parted in the 45th over by an outstanding catch by Thurley with the score 206.

Hawkins looked like winning the match on his own as Norwich edged ever closer to the target, but crucially the 49th over bowled by Stolworthy conceded only two runs before the last-over drama with Hawkins run out for 80 following a fine throw by Denmark from the boundary.

Mike Taylor repeated the act next ball as a pulsating match ended with honours even.

Bradenham, who are sponsored by Trek Highway Services, will be without three key batsmen this week as they take on Hales on The Green with a 1pm start. The bowling should be boosted by the return of Chad Balluza from university.

The match ball will again be sponsored by W C Littleproud & Son.

Bradenham: K Stagles c Binnie b Hawkins 9, S Matthews c Binnie b Hawkins 11, L Denmark b Pearce 36, B Stolworthy not out 94, M Taylor lbw Pearce 24, K Blakey c Binnie b Rashid 6, P Dewing lbw Rashid 0, M Hunter c Binnie b Hawkins 14, R Thurley b Rashid 15, S Goodby not out 7; extras 22. Total (8 wkts) 238. Bowling: A Hawkins 13-0-46-3, K Rashid 13-3-56-3, T Pearce 13-0-61-2, A Ford 7-0-49-0, M Greller 2-1-8-0, Amin 2-0-13-0.

Norwich A: S Jessop c Stolworthy b Thurley 22, M Tipping b Bates 14, M Greller c Stagles b Goodby 36, A Hawkins run out 80, C Binnie c Thurley b Stolworthy 43, A Mandu run out 6, M Trip not out 1, T Pearce not out 0; extras 32. Total (6 wkts) 234. Bowling: B Stolworthy 13-1-52-1, A Bates 13-2-49-1, R Thurley 13-1-50-1, S Goodby 8-1-41-1, P Dewing 3-0-22-0.

Bradenham A (6pts) lost to Hardingham (24) on The Green in Alliance Division Four

Hardingham asked Bradenham to bat on a hard track and lightning-quick outfield.

Hardingham came into the game with their batsmen and bowlers in fine form, but their opening bowlers lacked their recent accuracy.

Evans was soon on the front foot with two excellent boundaries. Gibb went for his shots but skied a short ball and was caught for four. Evans was caught on the boundary when the ball was held up in the wind.

Captain Ian Moody moved to 20 before being caught behind.

Meanwhile Brett Gates was building a fine innings and, in a superb partnership with young Lewis Bates, they moved the score from 36-4 to 171 for five when veteran Gates was lbw for an excellent 82. Both batsmen were carrying injuries. Bates was eventually out for a great 51 and Bradenham's innings came to a close at 200-8, which was a great recovery.

Turner bowled extremely well for Hardingham to claim five wickets.

Hardingham openers Fowle and Downs set about the Bradenham opening bowlers Caffyn and Adcock. Caffyn was returning after a long-term injury and his contribution was particularly pleasing.

Fowle soon went, caught behind off Adcock. Goodrum joined Downs and moved the score along until he was well bowled by Moody for 28. Young opener Downs then cut loose. He constructed a superb innings with shots all round the ground and Hardingham passed their required total off 36 overs, losing two wickets.

Downs finished on a superb 118 no and offered only one chance.

This was still a heartening display by Bradenham A who stuck to their task well and again included a number of very young players, including 15-year-old Jason Ward for only his second senior match.

Bradenham CC's main sponsor is Trek Highway Services. Match ball sponsors are W C Littleproud & Sons.

BRADENHAM U13 travelled to Mattishall.

Batting first they made 295-7 with skipper Rob Ellis top scoring with 23. The fourth pairing of Mateo Henman and Todd Cantwell gave a batting masterclass, manipulating the ball to all parts to keep the scoreboard moving without giving chances.

Some excellent bowling and fielding prevented Mattishall from reaching their target. They amassed 264 but lost five wickets, and Bradenham left with the points. With two run outs the remaining wickets were shared between Myles Wheeler, Henman and Cantwell.

They were assisted by miserly spells from Tyler Murphy (two overs for two runs) and Jordan Young, who bowled a maiden from his one over.

Dereham A (2pts) lost to Thetford A (25) by 119 runs in Norfolk Alliance League Division Six.

Dereham A went down to their first defeat of the season as they were soundly beaten at Thetford A.

The home side batted consistently throughout their 46 overs and posted 238-9.

Dereham kept working hard but paid the price for two dropped catches at key moments.

Bradler Raper and Tom Clarke opened the attack and bowled tightly, but Thetford openers K Greyson and P Terry put on 50 before Greyson was bowled by Tom Head.

G Siriwardina and Terry added 130 more runs to put Thetford in control. Terry was bowled by Paul Taylor for 78 and the only other wicket to fall was G James, who was caught by wicketkeeper Matt Henman off Raper for 25.

Father-and-son pair Paul and Mark Taylor opened for Dereham and Mark was caught for four. After Nic Bliss went for the same score, the visitors were never in the hunt.

Paul Taylor top scored with 32 and only Henman (23) and James Harbour (13) got in to double figures.

Opening bowler Kerling got 3-27 and 14-year-old left-arm spinner D Greyson was impressive with 2-23.

Thetford A: K Greyson b Head 32, P Terry b P Taylor 78, G Siriwardina not out 65, G James c Henman b Raper 25, M Kerling not out 3; extras 34. Total (3 wkts) 238.

Bowling: B Raper 12-2-69-1, T Clarke 6-2-13-0, J Harbour 6-0-32-0, T Head 6-1-25-1, I Clarke 6-0-32-0, P Taylor 10-1-49-1.

Dereham A: P Taylor lbw b Kerling 32, M Taylor C M Coleman b Kerling 4, N Bliss b K Greyson 4, M Henman b D Greyson 23, J Irons b Kerling 6, J Harbour c Richardson b D Greyson 13, J Barber lbw b James 9, I Clarke c Kerling b D Greyson 4, T Head st Terry b James 4, B Raper c K Greyson b James 0, T Clarke not out 1; extras 19. Total 119.

Bowling: M Kerling 12-3-27-3, K Greyson 9-1-27-0, N Coleman 6-0-30-0, D Greyson 7-0-23-3, G Siriwardina 4-0-10-0, G James 1-0-1-2.

Dereham B made it three wins in a row as they beat an inexperienced Beeston A by eight wickets.

Beeston opted to bat and immediately Liam O'Callaghan removed opener Blackford for nought in the first over.

From there O'Callaghan continued to sweep through the Beeston batting to finish with incredible figures of 6-11.

Tom Simpson produced an accurate opening spell before Ryan Widdows was introduced, taking four wickets in three overs as Beeston were bowled out for just 30 in less than 16 overs.

In reply, Dereham lost openers Sam Widdows and Neal Widdows cheaply, but Zak Baker smashed 14 not out on his debut, before Jake Cox hit a boundary to seal a comfortable win in the ninth over.

Dereham B remain second in West Norfolk League Division Five, and face Heacham A this weekend.

Fakenham A (21pts) beat North Elmham (5) by six wickets in the Mid Norfolk League, Birkbeck Division Four

North Elmham travelled to Fakenham on a windy Sunday afternoon for an early top-of-the-table clash.

North Elmham elected to bat first against a young Fakenham team. A Garrod was trapped lbw early by C Read for four. J White was looking in fine form after his 73 against Swaffham.

However, the young Fakenham bowlers performed very well, dismissing P Lowe lbw for three and J Livings for four.

After this, the Elmham team then collapsed, with six ducks in a row, with the main threat being that of J White who finished the innings with being stumped by C Piper bowled by C Beale with a superb 52.

North Elmham finished with 84 runs from 24.1 overs, with C Read finishing with 15-3 and C Beale with 10-4 to cap Fakenham's dominant bowling.

Fakenham opener C White was trapped lbw by A Kay for nought and J Wells was caught by J Lowe bowled by A Kay for one. A Kay finished his six over spell with figures of 14-2.

J Burton batted well for his 21 before being bowled by J Lowe.

Another young batsman, J Harvey, added nine to the Fakenham total before being bowled by Elmham captain C Tindall.

Fakenham never looked in trouble with North Elmham incurring a huge extras total of 43. The runs were chased down by I Seed (4no) and C Read (7no) as Fakenham gained maximum points and top spot in the league.

There is no league match next week for North Elmham, but a friendly against Great Ellingham, 1.30pm, meet at home.

North Elmham: A Garrod lbw C Read 4, J White st Piper b Beale 52, P.Lowe lbw C Read 3, J Livings ct J Burton 4, C Tindall b L Cornwall 0, B Fairbrother b L Cornwall 0, J Lowe b C Beale 0, K Hall ct Beale 0, D Yaxley ct Beale 0, A Kay lbw Read 0, J Riches not out 0; extras 21. Total 84 all out, 24.1 overs.

Bowling: L Cornwall 8-0-33-2, C Read 7-3-15-3, J Burton 5-0-20-1, C Beale 4.1-2-10-4.

Fakenham: C White lbw A Kay 0, J Wells ct Lowe b A Kay 1, J Burton b J Lowe 21, J Harvey b C Tindall 9, I Seed not out 4, C Read not out 7; extras 43. Total 85-4, 16 overs.

Bowling: A Kay 6-1-14-2, J Riches 6-1-21-0, C Tindall 2-0-9-1, J Lowe 2-0-18-1.

Mattishall A (20pts) beat Bradfield A (0) by 10 wickets in Norfolk Alliance Division Six

Mattishall A won with over 50 overs to spare, Keith Hubbard claiming seven wickets.

The visitors elected to bat first in excellent batting conditions, but the home bowlers ripped through them with Jack Grant and Hubbard the chief tormentors.

A bowling combination mixed with youth and experience saw Grant taking an early wicket before evergreen Hubbard turned the game on its head with a superb seam bowling display. He finished with 7-23 in 10 overs to reduce the visitors to 84 all out in only 26 overs.

Mark Stokes (58no) and Ian Weetman (19no) chased down the small total in 66 overs

Skipper Keith Hubbard was clearly delighted with his own performance and that of the team: 'It was just one of those days when all facets of our game came together to produce an excellent performance, I am proud of them all.'