Halvergate v Drayton 5th August 2006

Drayton 243-7 (A. Hawes 45, P. Wright 48, C. Sutton 82) Halvergate 117 For only the third time this season, and for the first time since the reverse fixture against Halvergate, Drayton batted first. Openers Andy Hawes and Philip Wright took advantage of some loose early bowling by Halvergate to bring up the 50 partnership in the 10th over. The home side's change bowlers, D. Foreman and Willimott slowed the scoring rate, and eventually both batsman fell short of their respective half centuries, Hawes for 45 and Wright for 48, but not before they had added 105 for the first wicket. This left Chris Sutton to step up to the plate and dominate the second half of the innings - despite the sluggish pitch and slow outfield - he played with immense power and touch to score 82. This included sharing a partnership of 84 with his father Mike, who made just 8 of those runs! Drayton's final total of 243-7 appeared a very good score to try and defend.

Halvergate were soon in trouble losing a wicket in Lee Cornfield's second over and then Michael Mario-Ghae who bowled with great hostility removed the dangerous pair of Johnson and Carter in quick succession. Gill and Brister shared in a 50 partnership for the 5th wicket - however when Cornfield had Brister caught behind by Andy Hawes to leave Halvergate at 97-6, the game seemed up. Phil Soanes and Gary Foreman both took two wickets in their second spells to finish with 3-19 and 3-28 respectively. A fitting moment towards the end of the game was when P. Miller who had offered ball by ball commentary from the outfield throughout the Drayton innings had his leg stump uprooted first ball by Gary Foreman - I wonder what comment he would have made to that - perhaps: "This guy isn't moving his feet!"