Drayton 'A' v Great Yarmouth 'A' 16th May 2009

Drayton 'A' 135 Great Yarmouth 'A' 136-5

The Yarmouth skipper had no hesitation in asking Drayton to bat on a wicket which had seen the first serious rain for several weeks. Despite the non-availability of opener Chris Coupland, Drayton got off to a roaring start (18 after 2 overs and 24-0 after 5), thanks to some wayward Yarmouth bowling. Fewkes and Cockerill eventually bowled with more control way and the occasional ball misbehaved off the seam. Wickets fell rapidly (28-3 after seven overs, effectively 28-4, with Tony Gregory unable to continue), until Nigel Massingham and Graham Crowe dug in and played sensibly on what was never going to be a 200 run wicket.

When Crowe departed, bowled for a dogged 17, Matt Pepper, making a first Saturday appearance after a break of several years, came in to play a violent innings which threatened to wrest the initiative back for Drayton. He eventually took one too many liberties with canny veteran spinner Johnston and was bowled for a highly promising 28. From 116 for 5 after 33 overs, the final total of 135 was a bit disappointing, with 21 balls wasted and Massingham left high and dry for a splendidly responsible 43 not out. Let�s hope some of the later batsmen will have learned from the experience and, in future will remember that the established batsman will find it easier to accelerate than one who has just come in.

When Yarmouth batted, on a wicket which had dried out in a strong wind, it was clear Drayton needed to bowl very accurately to stand any chance. Jamie Scarff (12-3-29-2), whose groin had happily recovered since the previous Saturday, got off to the perfect start: a swinging yorker in his first over which demolished the Yarmouth opener�s stumps. Skipper Crowe cunningly decided to open the other end with off-spinner James Pepper, who repaid his confidence with a super spell (12-3-23-2). For a while, Irvine kept finding the boundary with every loose ball, until he was caught by Ryan �Buckets� Pointer at square leg for a rapid 28. At 34-3, and later 54-4, Yarmouth looked a little shaky, but, from then on the experienced Doggett played an innings that resembled Massingham�s. Despite Pointer getting an lbw with his second ball, Doggett finished with 60 not out, as Yarmouth won by five wickets.

Next week, Drayton hope to have one more front-line bowler available, which might have made all the difference this week. RT