Hales A bounce back

Hales A bounced back from the humiliation of being bowled out for nine when they returned to the scene of the nightmare for their Norfolk League Division Six match with Costessey.

Hales A bounced back from the humiliation of being bowled out for nine when they returned to the scene of the nightmare for their Norfolk League Division Six match with Costessey.

Although Hales ended up losing the game at the Green by four wickets, there were several positives to take from a much-improved showing.

After losing the toss Hales were put into bat, just as they had been by the last visitors Eaton.

But a much more assured display saw them progress to 103 for three off 27 overs.

Kevin Springall hit 13, skipper Damien Loines returned to form with 37 and Aaron Jones, showing more restraint than usual, topscored with a hard-hit 41 - his best score of the season.

However from a seemingly sound position Hales collapsed and lost the next six wickets for a mere 37 runs.

It took a sensible unbeaten 36 from Greg Cameron to shepherd the score along to a respectable 162.

Costessey's innings revolved around the second wicket partnership between J Carcton (59) and A Harris (50) who compiled a century stand which took the score to 131 off 37 overs.

Alarm bells then started ringing as Hales paceman Ben Etheridge brought his spell to a close with a burst of four wickets in his last three overs, claiming figures of 4-29 from 11 overs.

However the visitors reached their target a little uneasily in the 44th over with four wickets in hand.

Hales Man of the Match: Ben Etheridge.

In Norfolk Alliance Division Three, top team Hales repled to Downham Town A's 1006 with 101-2 to claim 19 points to their hosts' two.