HALES Colts got their season under way against Bacton Sabers at The Green on Saturday. They made a solid start with Josh Knights starting with a fine 22 including five boundaries.

HALES Colts got their season under way against Bacton Sabers at The Green on Saturday. They made a solid start with Josh Knights starting with a fine 22 including five boundaries.

He and veteran Pete Dye put on 29. Chris Read, 11, made five, including a cracking square cut, as Hales crawled to 48, finally being bowled out in the 18th over.

In reply, Issac Rolph, 14, was in excellent form. He ripped through the top order, finishing with stunning figures three for eight from his five overs. He recieved great support from Luke Thomas who bowled with real fire, collecting one wicket in his hostile seven-over spell. Jake Rolph and Chris Read bagged a wicket apiece as Bacton struggled past the Colts total for the loss of six wickets in the 23rd over.

Chris Ayre praised his young side, saying: “With such a young side we stood up well against a team of adults, and though we lost, the performance was very pleasing with many positives.”

The Co-op MoM: Josh Knights.

Hales U13 made a quick exit from the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cup, losing by 41 runs against a strong Fakenham side containing seven county players.

Fakenham scored freely as they posted a formidable 122. All Hales bowlers stuck at their task with Chris Read and Jake Rolph the pick.

In reply Hales lost skipper Pitcher early on but Chris Read showed his quality, making 30 before his enforced retirement which the rules dictate. He received good support from Alex Jary (12no), standing up well against some fast, accurate bowling. Hales finished on 81 for the loss of six wickets.

Manager Pete Dye was pleased. “We were up against a very good side who will go a long way in this competition. Our team containing seven U11 players can only take credit for standing up in the way they did to some very strong bowlers.”

Norwich Kitchens Man of the Match: Chris Read.