Happisburgh 'A' v Drayton 30th June 2007

Drayton 'A' 171 Happisburgh 'A' 135-9 For the second week running, Drayton A were on the road and managed to dodge the rain, on day when theirs was the only game to finish in Division 8. And for a second week running, they made sure the club achieved two wins out of two. With this result, Daz Flatt's merry men edged closer to the second promotion slot in Division 8.

Drayton were asked to bat first on a softish wicket which seamed and stopped. Despite this, they got off to a solid start, Nigel Massingham and Richard Taylor putting on 52 for the first wicket. After 22 overs, the score was 89 for 1. Then, a series of freak dismissals caused a collapse to 111 for 6, after 30 overs, Taylor eventually departing for a Drayton best 61.

Fortunately, Drayton A bat deep: Neil Chamberlain (10), James Reeve (11), Will Herring (22), Matt Bourne and Jamie Scarff added 60 in the last 15 overs, to set a challenging score on a ground with one short side and one long side with long, lush grass outfield.

Drayton made a dream start in the field. After 10 overs, Happisburgh were 29-5. Though Bourne and Scarff bowled plenty of good balls, the long hop on a stopping wicket and the full toss seemed to be killer balls. Trivett dug in to intersperse careful defence with some big shots, but even he had to depart following a ground-level, tumbling catch at first slip by the President. After 26 overs, with the score at 80 for 8, Drayton were thinking of an early visit to The Lighthouse.

However, Happisburgh's lower order - Taylor and Baldwin, as well as Stringer, returning to the crease after a finger injury, batted with courage and concentration. They duly achieved a third batting point and denied Drayton a fifth bowling point, giving Drayton just enough to think about after another welcome win.

Scarff was the pick of the bowlers - 4 for 42 from 12 overs - while Massingham was the meanest - 1 for 13 from 12 overs.