Drayton v Great Yarmouth 26th July 2008

Drayton 236-9 Great Yarmouth 160-9 Whilst, on paper, Drayton's 76 run victory over Great Yarmouth on Saturday looked comfortable enough and by the end of the game it was - the game itself could have been changed inexorably by one crucial moment. Having just square cut a boundary to get himself underway, Gary Smith tried to repeat the shot and this time it went aerially into the gully and was, crucially for Drayton, dropped. Smith went on to score a fine 73 (9 fours, 2 sixes).

Coming together with Drayton teetering on 37-3, Smith along with James Kay started to arrest the slide - Kay continuing his fine recent form with 46 including nine boundaries - Kay, like many batsmen before him and many after him fell immediately following the drinks break. Smith had become somewhat becalmed towards the end of Kay's boundary burst, but seemed to be inspired by the arrival of Michael Mario-Ghae at the crease. The pair added 50 in just five overs - Mario-Ghae's 15 including two sixes, including one enormous blow over long leg. The following six overs saw a flurry of runs and wickets as Drayton moved to 210-8 - however, Nigel Armitage used all his experience to take charge (albeit he was involved in the run out of his captain!) as Drayton managed to close at 236-9 - Armitage hitting 29, whilst there was also time for Robert Reeve to score his first run in the first team this season!

Yarmouth's reply began nervously against Michael Mario-Ghae and he quickly induced a false shot from Fitzsimmons to pick up the first wicket. Hak and Sole both began to establish themselves at the crease - not least taking advantage of the fast outfield, before Reeve struck to remove Hak for 13. Shortly afterwards Gary Foreman struck with a slower ball in his opening over and the visitors were 46-3. Sole and Nicholls added 45 for the 4th wicket, before Gary Smith reminded everyone there was only one Man of the Match candidate, by catching both in the deep off the bowling of Phil Soanes. When Soanes picked up a smart return catch, and Foreman bowled R. Ruddick, Yarmouth were 107-7 in the 31st over, leaving Drayton 14 overs to remove the tail. Frustratingly, only two wickets fell in that period - some shots lobbing just out of reach of the field - however the Yarmouth tail showed a stubborn determination which should be applauded. They reached their 4th batting point in the final over, with a sliced drive over the packed slip cordon. Pick of the Drayton bowlers was Phil Soanes with 3-38. Next week Drayton travel to Shipdham.