Drayton v Ketteringham Hall 23rd August 2008

etteringham Hall 208-8 Drayton 175-9 For the second week running Drayton were in action against a side vying for promotion. Visitors Ketteringham Hall lost the toss and Phil Soanes had no hesitation in asking them to bat. Those who played in the final game of the 2006 against Great Melton in similar conditions will recall a low, slow pitch which made strokeplay perilous. This pitch was the complete opposite - arguably offering more pace and bounce than at any stage this season (the fact that the pitch was bang in the middle of the square may be purely coincidental.

Drayton's opening bowlers Michael Mario-Ghae and Robert Reeve (back from a football coaching course which had stretched over the previous three weekends) used the pitch well as they delivered hostile opening spells. Mario-Ghae eventually enduced a mistake from M. Smith, who gloved a sharp chance to wicketkeeper Nigel Armitage. When Mario-Ghae forced an edge from P. Sprong - Paul Eggett was unable to cling onto the chance at first slip, albeit he nearly managed to catch the rebound on his back. Once the opening bowlers were removed from the attack, Sprong along with R. Smith was able to build the innings - streakily at times, and through punishing the odd bad ball at others.

The belated introduction of Phil Soanes into the attack in the 28th over produced immediate dividends, as Sprong spooned a horrible full toss straight to Andy Denny - having made 54, to leave Hall at 115-2. R. Smith and Walker were able to compile a solid partnership for the 3rd wicket, before Robert Reeve took the first of two excellent catches to dismiss Smith for 57. The final seven overs, saw a blaze of sixes - Walker hitting five in total in his 62, a flurry of wickets, some smart Drayton catching (other than Philip Wright nearly grassing a sitter at square leg, which somehow stayed above ground), flying stumps (courtesy of Mario-Ghae) and some moderate ground fielding. Hall closed at 208-8 - Mario-Ghae taking 3-33 and Soanes 5-41.

Drayton's reply couldn't have started better as Hall fed both Drayton opener's strengths as Andy Hawes hit some strong pull shots, and Philip Wright pulled some strong square cuts out of the bag. The introduction of the slower bowlers into the attack had immediate effect, as Wright holed out for 37 and Hawes for 25, to leave Drayton at 73-2 in the 21st over.

The next eight overs, saw the runs dry up, but wickets fall, and despite four batsmen establishing starts - Gary Smith (30), Nigel Armitage (14), Andy Denny (24) and Phil Soanes (18) - the highest partnership was 29, and as a result Drayton were unable to get close to challenging Hall's total. There was time for Robert Reeve to hit a first team best - 4 not out and Shaun Packman to bludgeon his first runs for the club. Congratulations to Ketteringham who are back in the title race following Winterton's defeat to Topcroft 'A'. Belated congratulations to Gary Foreman on the birth of Brady last weekend.