Same pattern for Yarmouth

GREAT Yarmouth travelled to Drayton on Saturday looking for the win that may kick-start their Norfolk League Division Two season, but it was the same old story as they suffered a 76-run defeat.

In perfect batting conditions the toss was always going to be crucial and the home captain had no hesitation in asking his visitors to field first.

After an early call-off Yarmouth entrusted the new ball to Vickers and the recalled Anguish and it was the latter that fired them into contention.

First Wright (8) edged behind, followed shortly after by Eggett (1) in the same manner and when Hawes

(22) was well caught at slip by Fitzsimmons, Drayton were wobbling slightly at 37-3.

Vickers (0-30), economical as ever, was causing problems and was unlucky not to collect the wicket of new man Smith.

With some welcome cloud cover providing relief from the searing temperatures things appeared to be going Yarmouth's way.

The home side was not done however, Smith along with Kay saw off the opening pair and then took to the change bowling as they added 91 for the fourth wicket before Sparkes beat Kay's defences to bowl the Drayton man four runs short of his half-century.

The big hitting Mario-Ghae strode to the middle and soon lived up to hissix-hitting reputation, smashing one straight and pulling another.

R Ruddick prevented things from getting out of hand, bowling the big Nigerian for 15.

Anguish returned to the attack with immediate effect as he claimed the big wicket of Smith (73) the steepling catch completed by Sparkes.

Ruddick (2-53) claimed his second victim the next over and then Sparkes was in on the action again, running out Soanes (7).

Anguish bowled Armitage (29) to complete a five-wicket haul but Yarmouth weren't able to claim the final wicket for maximum batting points. Drayton closed on 236-9.

Yarmouth's innings unfortunately summed up their season so far, batsmen getting in but failing to go on to get the required big scores. Yarmouth shuffled the pack looking for an early spark and opened up with Fitzsimmons and Hak.

Mario-Ghae (2-28) forced an early breakthrough to remove Fitzsimmons but Hak and Sole continued in a positive vein before Hak (13) was beaten by a Reeve delivery.

Derry's confident start was ended prematurely in Foreman's first over as after dispatching him to the boundary in style he was bowled next delivery.

Yarmouth stood at 46-3 in the 13th over which was a remarkably similar position to that held by their hosts earlier in the day.

Nicholls joined Sole in a reunion of the one-time opening batsmen and it seemed just like old times as they maintained the healthy run rate.

At 91-3 in the 24th over Yarmouth were very well set but the season's form returned with a vengeance.

First Sole (33) and then Nicholls (22) departed in the same manner, holing out to Soanes (3-28) and Soanes added further injury pulling off a great return catch to remove the Yarmouth captain.

From 91-3 and chasing victory Yarmouth slumped to 107-7 and chasing extra batting points.

Vickers (8) got them close with a big six but when he fell to a return catch to Mario-Ghae Yarmouth were still four runs short of another point. Sparkes and Anguish weren't going down without a fight however.

The 120 mark was duly brought up and with Sparkes flaying the bowling around the ground the pair set off after 160.

Anguish provided admirable support, showing a determination not to give his wicket away.

The pair added 39 before Sparkes (29) was undone by the penultimate ball of the penultimate over with Yarmouth still five runs short of another point.

Southey survived his delivery leaving it to Anguish in the final over.

A wide delivery brought the score closer before Anguish opened the face to guide the ball to the boundary for four. Yarmouth closed on 160-9 with Anguish unbeaten on seven.

Burton Arms Man of the Match: Terry Anguish for a fine all-round display, five wickets and excellent support with the bat.