Rollesby v Drayton 30th May 2009

Rollesby 250-7 Drayton 236-8

This is a game that Drayton will look back on and feel they should have won - and indeed even in pursuit of Rollesbv's large total Drayton looked well set as long as Michael Breame remained at the crease. Drayton won the toss and elected to field, and the decision seemed to be the right one as Michael Mario-Ghae and Gary Foreman bowled fine opening spells. Rollesby's second wicket pairing of Duxbury and Chaney set about rebuilding the innings - slowly and somewhat streakily to start with - however when Drayton's change bowlers were introduced they went on the attack. Chaney made 117 and Duxbury 93. After they were parted the final 7 overs of the home side's innings only produced 23 runs as Drayton finally slipped into gear. Several catches were dropped, both easy and difficult (a trick repeated by Rollesby later in the afternoon), which is something which must be eradicated in the coming weeks. Michael Mario-Ghae took 4-27 in a typically probing spell of fast medium bowling.

In reply Philip Wright and Michael Breame added 105 for the first wicket before Wright fell immediately following drinks for 37. Andy Hawes and Paul Eggett gave Breame good support as Drayton made significant inroads into the Rollesby total. Requiring 52 from 5 overs with 7 wickets in hand the game was well set up - however Drayton lost 3 wickets in a chaotic 41st over - Breame was first to go for 112 (17 fours and 3 sixes), followed by Mario-Ghae and James Reeve. Some uncomplicated hitting by Andy Denny and Phil Soanes offered Drayton hope up until the final over, but ultimately it was not to be.