Drayton 'A' v Martham 2nd May 2009

Martham 188 Drayton 'A' 112

A new-look Drayton 'A' team opened their season with a match against Martham, to whom they lost twice last season. At once, the opening attack of Jamie Scarff and Ryan Pointer made inroads on a fast wicket with a little variable bounce. Scarff had one opener caught behind off a feather edge, while Ryan (1-16) took his first league wicket after the dangerous McGleave was caught by a juggling, tumbling Chris Coupland at extra cover, leaving Martham at 4 for 2

After that, Punchard, who scored a century against Drayton last season, and Sayer rebuilt, patiently content with singles at first, then more expansively, in a century stand, to reach 107 for 2 after 29 overs. Drayton�s fielding was determined throughout, with the team getting their bodies behind the ball on a fast, bumpy outfield. James Reeve, Coupland and new skipper Graham Crowe set the standard, and it was Crowe and James Pepper who ran out Sayer for 41, which began the Drayton fightback.

Pepper, who was making his first appearance for Drayton after an interval of many years, bowled well after a nervy start, beating Punchard and other Martham batsmen, without luck. Nigel Massingham (3-50) was his usual canny self and Scarff (3-43) bowled Punchard for 66, with an extravagant slower ball. One of Scarff�s victims departed to that collector�s item, a slip catch by Tony Gregory which, to be honest, he never looked like dropping.

The dangerous Beckett and Spencer were restricted to 25 runs between them and Pepper, returning to bowl the final over, was rewarded for his earlier efforts with two wickets. Drayton had achieved the maximum five bowling points.

Following a splendid Crowe family tea, Drayton�s openers, Coupland and Mike Sutton, set off in pursuit of 189 to win, reaching 22 in the seventh over, when Coupland was bowled. Senior Martham players MacGleave and Spencer bowled the first 18 overs without change, and a succession of Drayton batsmen were dismissed after getting a start. There were several overs when Sutton (24) and Crowe (17) seemed to be building a promising partnership but, after 20 overs, Drayton were 61 for 4.

James Reeve, who had shown lots of promise in the spring nets, proceeded to play a well-constructed innings against some promising young Martham bowlers. Several players, notably Scarff (13), threatened to help Drayton to at least 3 batting points. Eventually, Reeve was left high and dry at 15 not out, and Drayton were dismissed for 112.

Next week, Drayton�s batsmen will have to play better against high-scoring Felthorpe. Then again, history suggests it�ll probably rain.