It was more home troubles for Bradenham as they lost their second home game of the season, this time falling to table-topping Sprowston on The Green on June 3 in the Norfolk Alliance Division One fixture.

The visitors lost the toss and the Bears elected to bat on a warm afternoon. 

Openers Scott and Bates looked relatively comfortable against the lively Sprowston attack and put on 31 before Scott fell to a good gulley catch. 

Bates was bowled for a lively 37 by which time the vastly experienced Bradshaw had been brought into the attack. 

Watts, Evans and Ellis could only add 28 between them and it was a partnership between Will Dewing and Liam Kevern which saved the home team’s innings. Kevern played the support role as Dewing played some handsome shots to reach 53 when he was bowled playing an uncustomary loose shot. The innings closed on 145 all out.

Sprowston opened with Murrell and Rush, Martin Fox accounting for the latter with the score on 20. Hales quickly followed, trapped lbw by Bates and Bradshaw joined Murrell at the crease. 

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It was this partnership which proved to be the Bears’ undoing although both offered chances which may have been taken on a different day. Good bowling and fielding however were making Sprowston fight for every run in their chase.

Dewing eventually had Bradshaw caught behind for 49 and Murrell finished on 44 not out however as Sprowston passed the home team’s score in the 43rd over.

The Bear’s vice-captain, Brendan Scott, commented after the game: “We’re disappointed we didn’t set a better total against the division’s best bowling attack. We felt we were perhaps 50 runs short which might have made a difference at the end. We made them work hard though for the win which was a positive.”

The match was sponsored by Norfolk Countryside Care. Bradenham CC’s main sponsor is W C Litrtleproud and Son.