THE weather hasn't been kind to cricket clubs throughout the early spring but Bungay Cricket Club's brand new playing surface was finally opened on Saturday as they entertained Drayton in the first pre-season friendly of the year.

THE weather hasn't been kind to cricket clubs throughout the early spring but Bungay Cricket Club's brand new playing surface was finally opened on Saturday as they entertained Drayton in the first pre-season friendly of the year.

Many new records were set that will become quiz questions in the future, but the one that mattered was that Bungay won their first match on their new home surface and quite comfortably to boot.

Bungay captain, David Fuller, typically lost the first toss and with the pitch playing conditions a mystery, Bungay were asked to bat first. M Watts and C Fuller started brightly and added 32 for the first wicket before Watts was adjudged lbw for 11. Captain Fuller joined his younger brother and was content to play second fiddle to the youngster as he brought up his first 50 of the season in style as he drove the ball across the fine outfield for four.

The new surface, although a little low due to the early season weather conditions was playing well and at 85 for one the home side were looking in complete control. But then another first for the season, the first Bungay middle order collapse, happened as first D Fuller was well caught in the gully and W Lewis was adjudged caught behind. When R Lee was bowled by the flighted spin of Brown, Bungay were 90 for four.

Runs then dried up for Bungay and when young C Fuller was caught trying to force back control of the game, Bungay were reeling at 92 for five. The experienced pairing of R Davis and C Cudden steadied the ship for Bungay and added crucial runs against the now buoyant Drayton side. However, some big shots from Davis and some crucial lower-order runs helped the total to end on 137 from just 28 overs.

Bungay took to the field and a chance for the bowling attack to shake off some early season rust was evident as 42 extras were given away. However, the opening partnership of C Fuller and D Fuller both took wickets in their first over, C Fuller bowling M Sutton with the fourth legitimate ball of the game and then D Fuller bowling Taylor for nought to leave Drayton eight for two. C Fuller then picked up another quick wicket as Goupland was superbly caught in the gully by Davis and thoughts of a quick finish were on the cards.

Ex-Bungay player and Drayton captain, D Flatt, had other ideas as he and N Hill started the recovery. When Hill was bowled by D Mowday for four Drayton were 36 for four. Flatt continued with the resilient Gregory battling their way to recovery with a 30-run partnership but when the latter suffered cramp and had to leave the field, Bungay started to dominate once more.

The young bowling duo of H Carroll and L Pawsley bowled with great pace as they picked up wickets to leave the visitors reeling at 67 for seven and tight bowling from the young spin couple R Lee and M Long effectively ended any hope for Drayton as D Fuller and W Lewis returned to finish off the Drayton lower order in the 40th over.

Bungay captain, D Fuller, said after the match: “It's great to finally play on the new pitch, the groundsman Ross Stannard has done a great job to get it ready with the poor weather we've had and it played really well. Everyone at the cricket club is looking forward to an exciting season ahead with a number of the young players playing today pushing very hard for first team places.”

Bungay's league action returns this week as they entertain rivals Rollesby starting at 2pm. The second XI are away to Hales A and then Sunday sees Bungay enter the Carter Cup for the first time as they take on Saham Toney from the Norfolk Alliance Division Two.