Drayton v Cringleford Lodge 22nd June 2008

Drayton 207-6 Cringleford Lodge 210-6 For the second day running at Drayton Rec, bat dominated ball as over 400 runs were scored for the loss of just 12 wickets. Bowlers had to work exceptionally hard, not just because of the pitch condition but also due to the strong wind which was blowing directly down the ground.

Drayton lost the toss and were asked to bat, and their total of 207-6, was based around four excellent partnerships. Firstly, Philip Wright and James Kay opening the batting added 63, and it seemed they had done the hard work by seeing off the opening bowlers. However, in his first over, the left arm leg spinner forced Kay into a mistake as was bowled for 26. Wright was then joined by Tony Gregory, and together they added a further 42 in 10 overs, before Gregory was bowled not offering a shot for 14. The third wicket partnership between Wright and Jason Trett realised 48, before Wright was caught behind shortly after reaching his half century. Unfortunately, captain Warren Kedge followed next ball - bowled via an inside edge. The final key partnership was worth 54 between Trett and debutant Mat Norman - full of powerful strokeplay and some good running between the wickets. Trett perished to the penultimate ball of the innings having made 60, including 7 fours and 2 sixes - his first half century since September 2004. Norman ended on a fine 25 not out - however there was time for the other newcomer, Rob Raven, to face only one ball - which resulted in his stumps being rearranged following a mighty swing!

Drayton started well in reply, with Rob Reeve yorking opener D. Baker in his second over. A period of quiet consolidation followed until James Kay sprung into action, taking a flying catch at square leg to dismiss Taylor off the bowling of young Ryan Pointer. The wily veteran Roy Clarke was soon run out following some great work by Reeve, and Lodge appeared to be reeling. Thereafter, however Drayton struggled to take wickets as youngster J. Wright and the unorthodox M. Patel set about the bowling. Both fell with their half centuries in sight, Wright becoming Mat Norman's first Drayton victim - lbw for 46, and Patel became Rob Raven's first Drayton scalp - spectacularly caught by wicketkeeper Jason Trett for 47. Two further youngsters, R. Matthews and O. Mirza continued to score freely against the Drayton bowling - taking advantage of the easy paced nature of the pitch and true bounce rather than any deficiencies in the bowling. Only one further wicket was taken, Kay bowling Mirza for 20 - with Lodge reaching their target with some 10 balls to spare.

Once again Drayton's youngsters contributed well - Ryan Pointer and Tom Barnes both bowling at crucial stages of the innings, and Tom Radford displaying some good ground fielding skills. Next Sunday, Drayton visit Gressenhall.