Drayton 'A' v Watton 29th April 2006

Despite their loss, Drayton came off the ground smiling after this nail-biting season's opener was finally decided, in chilly dusk, off the penultimate ball of the match. Both sides contributed fully to the excellent spirit in which this seesawing match was played, setting a good example to the several young players playing.

Having won the toss, the visitors put Drayton in, and a hostile opening spell from Watton's Whitmore, exploiting a little early dampness in the wicket, kept Drayton's run rate pegged. A splendid, well-paced stand of 117, between skipper Kay (62) and a rejuvenated Keith Pink (58), eventually provided ballast to the innings. At 100-3, veterans in the Drayton team felt 180 would be about right to provide a challenging target.

Watton's muscular South African opener got off to a flier: suddenly the boundary line, particularly on the City side, seemed well-nigh impossible to defend. Drayton newcomer, Larke, who settled to bowl a probing opening spell, soon made his mark in the field too, running out the free-scoring visitors' opener with a 25 yard direct hit from square leg. More improbably, Pink did likewise later in the match. (A definite first and one for the archives - ed.)

Drayton slowed down the Watton run rate, with a particularly consistent spell from Phil Soanes, who finished with 4-36 in 12 overs, but some spirited stands from the visitors' middle and late-middle seemed to be securing the match for Watton. Drayton hopes rose and fell as a couple of flat big hits pinged off cold outstretched finger tips.

Needing 21 from the last 9 overs, with four wickets left, the visitors probably seemed favourites. Kay's repeated 'It just takes four good balls' and sustained encouragement of bowlers by all the team finally paid off, though: three wickets fell to a mixture of good balls and rash shots by batsmen feeling pressurised. With three needed off the final over, Will Herring bowled with commendably steadiness. Unfortunately, the fifth ball turned, caught a top edge and sailed over the slips.

Cricket very much the winner. The only downside is that it will be difficult for the next 17 matches to live up to the excitement of this one.