Rollesby (26pts) beat Drayton (2) by nine wickets in Norfolk League Division One

THE on-song bowling attack of Cook and Alger laid the groundwork for a convincing Rollesby victory.

Drayton’s Kay won the toss and sent the Rollesby players out onto a parched outfield that had benefited only slightly from the morning’s rain.

The Drayton innings started at just one an over, with opening pair of Reeve (2) and Hawes (5) bowled early on by C Alger and D Cook respectively. Captain Kay’s (5) stumps were knocked back soon after, leaving the pavilion-bound upper order to contemplate the absence of a sightscreen at either end.

When Hunt (0) was caught and bowled by C Alger (8-3-18-2) without adding to the total, there was some concern over the readiness of the tea, though the arrival of Satish at the crease began to allay this.

He and Soanes (12) brought the total to 44-5 off 20 overs before Cook bowled Soanes, closing with figures of 10-2-20-3.

Keith (4) briefly supported the lynchpin Satish before becoming Sparkes’ (6-1-32-1) solitary victim, caught behind by Chaney.

Satish and Mario-Ghae for a short time took to Flett and some erratic bowling by Sparkes. Satish (46) however was sharply caught and bowled by Flett (3.1-1-17-3) four short of his 50, marooning Mario-Ghae (11 not out) with Pointer (0) and Dobson (0) who quickly perished to leave 10-man Drayton with the modest total of 89-9 after 27 overs.

Baker and Duxbury took to the crease as the cloud-cover gave way to broken sunshine. Fresh off the back of a well-earned 100,, Duxbury promptly played all round a delivery from Pointer (8-1-22-1) having contributed nine to the run chase.

Chaney joined Baker, the pair only occasionally troubled by the bowling of Keith (6-0-34-0), Satish (3-0-20-0) and Soanes (2-1-10-0).

Despite reaching the required total with an emphatic boundary, Baker (46 not out) was unlucky not to reach 50, thwarted by 19 extras and an unbeaten 19 by Chaney. Both batsmen will be eyeing tomorrow’s encounter with Ketteringham Hall, as Rollesby seek to bolster their position at the top of the table.

MoM: D Cook.

Drayton: R James Reeve b Chris Alger 2, Andy Hawes b Dave Cook 5, James Kay b Dave Cook 5, Keith Hunt c Chris Alger b Chris Alger 0, Satish Chelladurai c Nick Flett b Nick Flett 46, Phil Soanes b Dave Cook 12, Keith c Alex Chaney b Robert Sparkes 4, Zino Mario-Ghae not out 11, Ryan Pointer b Nick Flett 0, Fraser Dobson c Alex Chaney b Nick Flett 0; extras 4. Total 89. Bowling: Chris Alger 8-3-18-2, Dave Cook 10-2-20-3, Robert Sparkes 6-1-32-1, Nick Flett 3.1-1-17-3.

Rollesby: Matt Duxbury b Ryan Pointer 9, D Baker not out 46, Alex Chaney not out 19; extras 19. Total (1 wkt) 93. Bowling: Ryan Pointer 8-1-22-1, Keith 6-0-34-0, Satish Chelladurai 3-0-20-0, Phil Soanes 2-1-10-0.