Bradenham started a new season in Alliance Division One with a lot of new faces in the side. With last year's senior players either retired, injured or moved on to other clubs, it left a chance for youngsters to fill the void with one of the youngest ever first teams taking to the field.

Bradenham started a new season in Alliance Division One with a lot of new faces in the side. With last year's senior players either retired, injured or moved on to other clubs, it left a chance for youngsters to fill the void with one of the youngest ever first teams taking to the field.

New skipper Kevin Blakey won the toss and inserted home team Sheringham on a grassy-looking track. Sixteen-year-olds Brett Stolworthy and Alex Bates opened the bowling, with Stolworthy picking up a wicket in his third over.

However, it was a tough baptism for the seamers, as Rashid decided to tee off from the start, hitting the ball to all areas. He was eventually trapped lbw for 41 from 30 balls by 20-year-old Blake Whyte, making a welcome return to Bradenham after featuring in the second XI two years ago.

Chris Sutton (47) and David Wells (52) steadily carried on the good work for Sheringham, with Ian Brown, Rob Thurley and Greg Caffyn all slowing down the run rate with useful spells.

Blake Whyte then produced a stunning catch on the boundary to dismiss the dangerous looking Sutton, and Stolworthy clean bowled Wells to prevent Sheringham from producing a score that was beyond Bradenham.

The home side eventually closed at 247 for seven with the new rule on wide balls also taking its toll, with extras contributing 48 to the total.

Bradenham got off to a bad start, losing Matthews caught on the extra cover boundary for five, but 17-year-old Rob Thurley and Whyte batted sensibly to start putting together a solid foundation. They then started to take the Sheringham attack apart, with boundaries coming regularly, and at the halfway point in the innings Bradenham were well placed on 120 for one.

Thurley continued to bat well, but was eventually undone by the spin of Moy, being well stumped by Lloyd for a valuable 88.

Patrick Dewing, finding himself in the new position of oldest player in the team, joined Whyte and a partnership of 22 ensued before Whyte was bowled for a solid 37.

At 165 for three with 11 overs left, the game was in the balance, but 15-year-old Lewis Denmark smashed a 35-ball unbeaten 47, with Dewing also making 47 not out, to guide the visitors home with an over and seven wickets to spare.