Drayton 'A' v Hemsby 5th August 2006

Drayton 'A' 253 (E. Pink 81) Hemsby 209-8 (N. Massingham 4-44)On a delightful afternoon, with the outfield at Drayton showing hints of green after the first rain in weeks, Drayton A scored a solid victory, easing themselves to a more comfortable position in the table.

Paul Eggett and Nigel Massingham got Drayton off to a comfortable start (30 in the 6th over). When both departed in quick succession, Ed Pink, whose impatience can sometimes be his own worst enemy, played a well-judged innings of 81. Even Poppa Pink felt he'd never seen Ed play better. Tony Gregory, who had been gazing fondly earlier at his cuttings from the EEN, had obviously also been watching Kevin Pietersen at Headingley and himself retired hurt after scoring 21 (though he later returned with the altogether swifter Paul Eggett running for him). After that, the later middle-order contrived to present Hemsby with soft wickets, until Saul Simpson (21) and Will Herring (30) added the runs which, in the final analysis, were the difference between the two sides.

On a slow wicket, Drayton A tended to bowl too short against batmen who, in any case, favoured the pull and the cut. At 106 for 3 after 24 overs, Hemsby were well-placed. With Simpson unable to bowl, would Drayton's four bowlers (echoes of England) be equal to the task? Veterans Massingham (4-44) and James Kay both bowled accurately enough to go for less than four an over and Will Herring (2-46) took important wickets and turned the ball a great distance, albeit slowly. Eventually, Hemsby revised their target and settled for 200 and batting bonus points.

Next week, Drayton A go to Halvergate, hoping to emulate the first team's victory this week.