Drayton v Bradfield 27th July 2008

Bradfield 286-7 Drayton 235-7 Stand in captain Tim Woods lost a crucial toss on Sunday, and Drayton were consigned to what was always likely to be a long, hot, tiring afternoon in the field. All the bowlers and fielders stuck at it, despite the somewhat onerous nature of the occasion. Five Drayton bowlers picked up wickets - Robert Reeve being the pick, taking 3-24 in 10 excellent, hostile overs - others fell to Rob Raven, Ryan Pointer, Mat Norman and debutant Ravi Dave.

Chasing a massive total is never easy, and to score at 7 an over for 40 overs is almost impossible. Drayton openers Philip Wright and Mike Bown therefore attempted to establish a solid platform by not losing wickets early on. Having scored only 29 runs off the opening 10 overs, 49 came from the next 5 and then 38 from the 5 after that - Drayton therefore 116-0 after 20 overs. By this time, Bown had exploded in a flurry of enormous hitting. A succession of booming sixes raining from his bat, until, with the score at 146 and Bown on 95 (14 fours, 5 sixes), he holed out to the long off boundary. Neither Mat Norman or Tim Woods were able to survive for more than an over, and any hopes Drayton had of winning the game were very much in the balance. Tony Gregory played some deft flicks (using the pace of the outfield to his advantage!), whilst Wright opened his shoulders at the other end. After Gregory was caught at slio, Robert Reeve and Rob Raven quickly followed - however Ravi Dave played some nice shots in making 16 on his debut, and there was time for a cameo from Ryan Pointer at the end of the innings. Wright closed on 76 not out (10 fours, 1 six), as Drayton ended on a respectable 235-7. Next week Drayton travel to Swanton Morley.