Aldborough Maintain Title Momentum
Read on for this weeks match reports…
Norfolk Cricket League Division One
Aldborough 205 for 7 (23) beat Drayton 204 for 5 (7)
Aldborough, led by a Captain’s innings from Reeve, completed a Lazarus style comeback against old rivals Drayton to secure a tense and nail biting three wicket victory and kept their title hopes still on track.
Batting first the home sides Hawes and Wright were pegged back by some accurate bowling by Reeve and Board. The pitch in good condition and the outfield fast and the weather conditions perfect for batting Drayton’s expectations for setting a big score were realistic. However despite only losing five wickets in their innings it was not until the last five overs did they grab the momentum of the game. Up to this point Aldborough benefited from some canny field placing and some excellent bowling from Bacon, who once again sizzled in the sun. His figures of 12-2-36-1 were testimony to his experience and guile. Supported well by Nicholls and Dingle with the ball and the whole team in the field it was clear that Aldborough were content with the run rate of around four per over and were setting themselves to chase down any total. The Greens didn’t panic or allow themselves to worry about the wicket column, supporting the bowlers well with the ground fielding outstanding. Notable mentions should go to Henry Sayer and Ben Plumb who once again patrolled large areas with great skill and enthusiasm. Drayton, through Wright, looked in little trouble but at 155 for 3 off 40 overs were clearly well short of a decent total. On a hot day minor aspects of cricket such as momentum can play key roles in the outcome of the game. Drayton sensed the need to make ground and blasted nearly fifty in the last overs and left the field on 204 for 5 with Wright scoring a well judged 120.
Aldborough were unnecessarily rattled by this and carried this through to the early part of the innings.
With the energy levels and enthusiasm with Drayton they struck early and in devastating fashion. Mario-Ghae bowled with good pace and supported well by Reeve, the prolific Cooper and Allan were removed by good bowling and fielding. Bacon perished soon after and despite looking in no20trouble at all Plumb fell and the score was 21 for 4 off 8 overs.At this stage most teams would have capitulated. Reeve joined Fell and with a confident square cut for four first ball set out his intention. Both left handers occupied the crease and showed patience waiting for the inevitable bad balls. With good bowling changes and the impressive Foreman and Mario-Ghae scenting victory concentration levels needed to be high. The pair moved the score to 100 in the 26th over and as a result bagan to swing the pendulum of momentum in their direction. Fell succumbed to an excellent 30 to Mario-Ghae, but the base was now set for a realistic chance of victory. Reeve playing sensible and calmly kept the run rate below 6 and was well supported by intelligent cricket by his team mates. Nicholls, every time a boundary was required or a single needed produced the goods and helped the team score to 149 off 35. Next in was Barnard who sensed the need for a quick explosion and helped moved the field so Reeve could continually pick out the gaps. Despite his demise the score was at 163 when Henry Sayer joined his captain. 42 were required off six. The game was now poised to be a close finish. Drayton tired from their efforts and Aldborough buoyed by the comeback needed to stay clam. Firstly Reeve and Sayer exchanged quick singles – this brought the field in, then both used this and cleared the ring to gain valuable boundaries. Sayer is delectable form took a liking to Foreman and punished some tired bowling. Reeve took on his namesake and with 2 overs to go Reeve struck a four to bring the score to within 5 runs. Wides followed by a single saw the victory for Aldborough with Sayer pushing through cover to claim the win.
Captain Paul Reeve finished on a measured and well paced 88 not out and took the plaudits for what was an excellent rearguard by the middle order and deservedly was Knights Sporting Limited Man of the Match.
Norfolk League Divison 5
Aldborough A (108/10) lost to Halvergate A (131/10) by 23 runs
A hot day on The Green welcomed Halvergate to the village in the latest match for Aldborough in this hotly contested league. Halvergate won the toss and elected to bat. Ash and Seaman bowled very well early on with Ash making use of the ridge and Seaman bowling with great control and good pace. The ball whizzed past the bat repeatedly until the impressive Seaman struck, having both Key and Gilder caught at the wicket. A good six over spell from the youngster showed figures of 6-0-12-2 in his first league start of the season. Ash continued and was joined by the ever reliable Smith, the pressure built and a good ball from captain Ash brought a nick and another decent take from Nicholson behind the pegs. Foreman (37), Mills (19) and Utting (23) ensured that the middle order went some way to getting the score back on track but some devious mischief from spinner Knight put pay to that as he snaffled three wickets for 30. From this point the batting capitulated and with Mack and Tuthill impressing at the end the team were dismissed for 131.
Mack (29) and Skinner (25) looked to be cruising at 52-0 in reply but both went quickly leaving the inexperienced Armiger and Briggs to continue the good start. After some nice shots both went and Aldborough A rolled over like a puppy who wants his belly tickled, allowing an average bowling attack to instead slap them hard on the nose, bowling them out for a shameful 103. Roll on next week.
Knights Sporting Ltd Man of the Match – Tim Nicholson