Drayton 'A' v Rocklands 'A' 24th June 2006

Rocklands 'A' 197-6 Drayton 'A' 200-3 (I. Cannell 69, N. Massingham 53) A multi-generational Drayton team, containing players ranging from 60 to 11, finally reversed the trend of recent weeks and recorded a solid victory. On another of Jimmy Kay's straw-coloured belters, only one batsman was bowled all game, which made Drayton's much-improved catching performance all the more important, with Will Herring's three catches and James Reeve's forward dive probably the pick of the day.

Kay (2-29) and Nigel Massingham (2-28) were their usual economical selves, while 11 year old left-arm seamer, Frankie Sutton, made a promising start to his Drayton career. Tom Wood, brave behind the stumps, and Ryan Pointer, whose fielding improves with every match, also repaid the skipper's trust in youth.

When Drayton batted, Ian Cannell and Massingham showed there are few substitutes for skill and experience, playing themselves in sensibly, then gradually accelerating. With Rocklands' bowlers taking the pace off the ball, Cannell scored many boundaries punching the ball away off the back foot. He and the ever-dependable Massingham passed 100 in 20 overs, putting on 134 for the first wicket (Cannell 69, Massingham 53), after which Kay, Gregory and Crowe finished the job with four overs to spare, Graham Crowe sensibly hitting a four to win the match and gain a further bonus batting point.

At three o'clock, Drayton paused in the field to send telepathic good wishes to A team opening bowler Jamie Scarff and the lovely Rachel, who were getting married a three miles further north.