Drayton v Acle 'A' 29th July 2006

Acle 'A' 95 (P. Soanes 10.4-4-17-5) Drayton 96-2 (G. Smith 45) The recent long dry spell has left the Drayton pitch with a more competitive edge for bowlers, and so it proved on Saturday, as for the second week running Drayton bowled out their opponents for less than 100. Reaching 45-2 in the 13th over Acle seemed well set to make Drayton work hard for the result - however when Michael Mario-Ghae, making his first team debut, trapped Acle captain Geoffrey Handley leg before in his first over that all changed. One stand of 30 apart, it was Drayton's bowlers who stole the show - off spinner Phil Soanes taking 5-17 on a pitch which was well suited to his bowling, Gary Foreman chipped in with three, Lee Cornfield took one, as well as Mario-Ghae's wicket. Gary Smith can also count himself unlucky after seeing Stewart Forton's spectacular running effort put down....

Drayton had seen some of Acle's bowlers in action the previous week and felt they would not have it easy - and Acle's attacking field settings (including three bat pad fielders) seemed to show this. However, Drayton's openers Philip Wright (38) and Gary Smith (45) went on the attack themselves and quickly took the game away from the visitors - indeed it was the regular opener Wright who outscored the "pinchhitter" Smith in their partnership of 75. There was just time for Andy Hawes and Chris Sutton to boost their averages as Drayton sealed victory with more than 25 overs to spare.