Norwich Union 'A' v Drayton 'A' 14th June 2008

Norwich Union A 146-9 Drayton A 147-7 Union A were sitting on the bottom of the league at the start of this match, but, if Drayton thought they were in for an easy ride, they were mistaken. Union fielded several previously unavailable players, including former first-teamer Santosh Ramakrishnan, whose 34 runs and 12 overs (12-1-26-2) ensured that Drayton had to work hard for their victory.

Accurate opening spells from Jason Trett and Jamie Scarff kept Union’s openers quiet on a covered but soft wicket. When they did start to hit out, edges flew frustratingly into spaces or over fielders, but Drayton’s bowling was disciplined: only one wide and one (rather contentious) no ball in 45 overs. Ramakrishnan was severe on anything wide, but he eventually departed to a Test-class bat-pad catch by short leg Graham Crowe. Daz Flatt rotated his bowlers creatively and all five took wickets: Trett 1-31; Scarff 2-32; Flatt 3-34; Nigel Massingham 2-29; Mike Bown 1-10.

Massingham’s extra-slower ball bowled two of the middle order and Scarff returned to bowl a tidy second spell. A couple of Union’s lower middle-order, playing their first match of the season, looked useful, but they had to take risks to set a reasonable score and, from 101 for 3 at 30 overs, Union could only score at three an over, to set Drayton 147 to win.

When Drayton batted, Union skipper Andrews bowled accurately, going for just 5 in his first 4 overs. Jimmy Kay, playing his first game of the season after injury, began to find his touch, clubbing a six over extra cover off the other Union opening bowler. When he departed for 21 in the eleventh over, a succession of Drayton batsmen got a start, then got themselves out against some steady Union bowling, particularly from Andrews and Ramakrishnan: Richard Taylor (23), Bown (18), Flatt (18), Crowe (10). Rain interrupted proceedings, creating a little extra tension, but, with 10 overs to go, Neil Chamberlain arrived at the crease for only his second league innings of the season. His 18 not out (with three boundaries), confidently supported by James Reeve, saw Drayton home.

At times, Drayton showed signs of not having played for a fortnight but, in the end, the side had enough talent to win and maintain their challenge for a promotion slot. RT.