BLUNDESTON came close to their first Norfolk League Division 10 defeat of the season against Garboldisham.On such a hot day it was imperative to bat first to rest the fielders in the heat.

BLUNDESTON came close to their first Norfolk League Division 10 defeat of the season against Garboldisham.

On such a hot day it was imperative to bat first to rest the fielders in the heat. Blundeston elected to bat but due to Garboldisham A not having a game many players had been dropped to play in the Thirds.

As a result of this runs were hard to come by and Chapman and Mobbs made little progress before Freake removed them.

The Talbots held strong and began to rebuild the innings applying themselves well before confusion cost Martin his wicket (19). After that point Barnes and Rogers tightened their grip over Blundeston's batting with only Trevor Daplyn reaching double figures. Finally the last wicket fell in the fortieth over leaving Blundeston 167 all out, about 20 to 30 runs short of a good total.

In reply, Blundeston bowled aggressively and well, bowling tight lines and showing passion. Finally the first wicket fell, a good delivery from Mark Chapman finding the edge of Fidler. Nick Mobbs continued to show his aggression and removed Tippet with help of a stunning one-handed catch from Daniel Jesudasen. He then removed first team player Asker two balls later firing in a textbook yorker to rattle the stumps. Talbot and Jesudasen then removed Garwood and Youngson leaving victory in sight. Soon after a

mix-up left Eagle stranded in the middle of the track, as Lewis Chapman whipped off the bails at the end he desperately tried to return to. It was then that Hogg and Asker jnr, both Norfolk players, turned the game putting on 46 before Hogg fell to Lewis Chapman. Soon after they were still 28 runs short of the victory target with nine overs remaining. The tension grew as the target got closer until the last over of the game with only five needed, having put all his eggs in one basket bowling Mark out, Graeme Talbot brought himself on for a rare turn of his arm. After firing the first two balls past Asker's leg stump he yorked Asker with the third ball to finish the game. It had been a fine innings from Asker who scored 50 and so nearly consigned Blundeston to their first defeat of the season.

Next match: Felthorpe.