Drayton 'A' v Martham 24th May 2008

Martham 230-8 Drayton 'A' 123 Following the glory years of Great Yarmouth and Martham, when a generous benefactor ensured that the combined club rose dramatically through the Alliance divisions, Martham have had a difficult time in more recent seasons. Kept going by a few stalwarts, they are now regrouping and several of their former Alliance players, including six feet seven opening bowler Johnny Allen (ex Mallards and Norfolk) are returning. The good news for Division 7 is that some of these players have work commitments which prevent them playing each week; the bad news was that most of them were available to face Drayton A

On a hard wicket, with good bounce and carry, and a fast outfield, Martham started aggressively. Despite being beaten several times, Fairbrother and Punchard ran quick singles till Jamie Scarff bowled a half-volley which was hit back straight, hard, low and just wide of the bowler's left hand. He threw himself sideways and held a wonderful catch inches from the ground. Scarff's first five overs were easily his most accurate of the season so far (5-1-19-1), but there was little margin for error.

With the arrival of Spencer (who finished with 56) and the rest of the middle order, it was clear that Martham had batsmen who could punish the one less than perfect ball each over and pick up some singles every so often too. It was testimony to Drayton's skill and spirit in the field that Martham were only 84-2 at 23 overs but, with wickets (and hard-hitting batsmen) in hand, Martham accelerated. Nigel Massingham (12-0-52-2), bowling his twelve on the spin, maintained some order in mid-innings and Daz Flatt (11-2-50-3) also threatened to stem the tide.

However, with wicket-keeper batsmen Matt Beckett, who seems to have averaged at least 40 runs each season for the last twenty-odd years, appearing at seven to make a rapid 47 (including one huge six), Martham scored 146 in the last 22 overs, to finish on 230-8. Despite the onslaught, Drayton fielded with spirit in the high wind.

In reply, it was vital that Drayton should make a secure start against Allen and ex-Winterton favourite, Greg Evans. The bowling was hostile: Allen with his height and bounce and Evans, bristling when the ball whizzed through the slips, gave Mike Sutton and Chris Coupland a severe examination, so to reach 42 without loss after 13 overs said a lot for their technique and guts. Two overs later, both were gone.

The asking rate was considerable at this stage, but Graham Crowe looked to be playing himself back into some sort of form, with some powerful drives. Mike Bown also took advantage of promotion to play a promising innings, including a massive and perfectly straight six. Both Crowe and Bown, though, departed just as they were promising to accelerate, and it soon became clear that Drayton would be playing for batting points only.

The final margin of victory was perhaps a little flattering to Martham, but, when all their players are available, they could clearly sustain a challenge in higher division. RT.