Aldborough v Drayton 2nd May 2009

Aldborough 197-5 Drayton 163

Drayton lost the toss and were invited to field first in pleasant conditions for the opening game of the season. Aldborough's openers Reeve and Cooper looked in trouble against probing opening spells from Michael Mario-Ghae and Gary Foreman. Only one run came off the bat in the first 8 overs as Drayton attempted to up the pressure. Foreman got his deserved reward with the wicket of Cooper for 2 in the 12th over. This brought the South African, Troy Allan, to the crease and he soon set his stall out dispatching Phil Soanes over mid wicket for 6. With the score on 34, Soanes bowled Reeve round his legs - but was again dispatched for another six, this time a rustic blow by the new batsman Saunders. Allan took charge of the remainder of the innings - surviving one regulation catch and pressing on to make an unbeaten 110, including 12 fours and 5 sixes. The final total of 197-5 was more than Drayton should have conceded after such a good start. Pick of the bowlers was Gary Foreman with 2-32 from his 12 overs.

In reply, Andy Hawes and Philip Wright attempted to punish anything loose - Wright cutting Reeve over point for six to prompt his removal from the attack. After 18 overs, Drayton were well placed at 83-0, however the introduction of a regular Drayton nemesis, Kevin Bacon, to the attack slowed things down. Hawes (36), Wright (59) and Andy Denny were all dismissed in quick succession - which took the momentum from the chase. Unfortunately, only Michael Breame, of the remaining batsmen, with 35, was able to get in - and with the light rapidly fading, Drayton's tail failed to survive the innings being bowled out on the last ball for 163. A poor start to the season - Aldborough's bowlers showed the rewards which can be bought by bowling full and straight, which is something Drayton need to take into coming games.