In Norfolk Alliance Division One, fourth-placed Hales entertained third-placed Bradfield in what promised to be Hales' first full league game at their new home.

In Norfolk Alliance Division One, fourth-placed Hales entertained third-placed Bradfield in what promised to be Hales' first full league game at their new home.

Hales won with Bradfield finishing 84 runs short of their 238 for seven.

Hales were not disappointed when they lost the toss. How the wicket would play was to be an unknown but the top order soon had the scoreboard ticking over.

Hales had an early blow when the experienced Brian Read was harshly adjudged lbw from the first ball of the match.

Philly Squire (60) joined Chris Andersen (14) in a partnership of 40 at four an over. When Andersen played on to Abbs first delivery his brother Dan (61) joined Squire in a 101-run partnership.

Useful contributions from Chris Hlengani (18), Rob Andersen (34) and Rowe (23 not out) saw Hales to a maximum five batting points.

When Hales took the field the more experienced Neil Pearce was given the new ball as partner to Rob Andersen over promising youngster Josh Knights.

Soon Bradfield found the scoring rate climbing above five and then six an over. Rob Andersen produced a fast, accurate opening burst that saw Bothwright back in the pavilion with the score on 23 while Pearce kept it very tight at the other end.

Young Knights replaced Andersen, and although he was expensive at first he claimed two wickets and is proving more and more to be a handful for any batsmen with his swing and movement at a reasonable pace for a 16-year-old.

Matthew Lovick had the batsmen in trouble from the start, removing the experienced Carl Wiseman, well caught by Chris Andersen who stood up to the bowlers all afternoon with the exception his brother Rob.

Bradfield opener David Register was proving to be a stubborn opponent but Read, who threw down the stumps as Register walked out of his ground while the ball was very much alive, and turned the game in Hales' favour.

Rowe (3-24) introduced himself and Hlengani (2-15) and their wily spin claimed the last five wickets in eight overs as the Bradfiled batsmen continued to attack in search of extra batting points and the win.

They finished 84 runs short as Hlengani claimed the last wicket to give Hales 25 points to Bradfield's five.

Evergreen's MoM: Philly Squire for his excellent 60 when going in at 0-1.

Next, Hales travel to Postwick to play Norwich A, having shared that ground for the last two seasons.

Hales: B Read lbw Robinson 0, C Andersen b Abbs 14, P Squire c Kimble b Wiseman 60, D Andersen b Robinson 61, C Hlengani b wiseman 18, R Andersen c Robinson b Wiseman 34, A Jones run out 0, S Rowe not out 23, N Pearce not out 10; extras 24. Total (50 overs) 238-7.

Bowling: Robinson 13-0-52-2, Whitehouse 6-0-43-0, Abbs 6-0-29-1, Yarham 12-1-46-0, Wiseman 13-0-61-3.

Bradfield: Botwright c C Andersen b R Andersen 13, D Register run out 37, S Bidewell lbw Knights 12, N Whitehouse b Knghts 1, C Wiseman c C Andersen b Lovick 12, D Yarham b Rowe 11, A Kimble st C Andersen b Rowe 38, M Reynolds c-b Rowe 11, T Whitehouse c-b Hlengani 0, A Robinson not out 4, P Abbs b Hlengani 0; extras 18. Total 154.

Bowling: R Andersen 7-1-18-1, N Pearce 8-1-19-0, J Knights 7-0-44-2, M Lovick 7-0-31-2, S Rowe 5-2-24-3, C Hlengani 3.2-0-15-2.