Bacton v Drayton 24th June 2007

Bacton 133-6 Drayton 134-3 Nine man Drayton triumphed over ten man Bacton in an enjoyable encounter on the Norfolk coast. Bacton opted to bat first and made steady progress against Jason Trett and Matt Bourne, who both struggled to find their length. With the score on 23, D. Gale was bowled by Bourne, whilst 14 runs later, M. Martin lobbed a simple return catch to Trett. C. Olley and captain G. Lester built a useful partnership of 47 for the 3rd wicket, however just as Lester was beginning to look dengerous he was run out for 25 due to a smart piece of fielding involving Philip Wright and wicketkeeper Stuart Bowes. Nigel Massingham picked up a wicket just as rain began to fall heavily - this hastened an early tea with Bacton 100-4 after 28.4 overs. Some disciplined bowling by Massingham (10-3-26-1) and Sam Giacomelli (6-0-19-1) tied the Bacton middle order down, and the remaining 11 overs after tea produced just 33 runs.

With the threat of rain always in the air, Philip Wright and Giacomelli gave Drayton a positive start adding 33 in the first 7 overs before Giacomelli was adjudged LBW for 12. Tony Gregory joined Wright at the crease and the pair continued to accumulate steadily before Wright was caught off a top edge for 35 to leave Drayton at 63-2 in the 15th over. Ibby Badat then took centre stage, once again looking in fine touch in hitting 33, including six powerfully struck boundaries. When Badat fell, Stuart Bowes took up the torch and struck three boundaries to help see Drayton to victory with fully 11 overs to spare. Bowes ending on 16, and the ever watchful Gregory, playing himself back to something approaching his best form, with 29.