HALES entertained Bradenham in Norfolk Alliance Division One, a game that brought an unexpected win over a side affected by holiday, work commitments and very late call-offs.

HALES entertained Bradenham in Norfolk Alliance Division One, a game that brought an unexpected win over a side affected by holiday, work commitments and very late call-offs.

Steve Rowe the Hales captain won the toss and asked Bradenham to bat first. They were soon in trouble with R Thurley bowled second ball in Matthew Lovick's first over. With South African Selowa at the crease there was a recovery until they lost second wicket on 47.

Bradenham lost wickets at regular intervals with Hales captain Steve Rowe turning back the clock and having to bowl his pace rather than spin, finishing with figures of

7-30. Bradenham's number four L Denmark was left undefeated on 36.

Bradenham closed on a very modest 144 all out, leaving Hales with an additional three overs to bat.

Hales started steadily although J Vale was bowled for nought in the fifth over with the score eight. M Ramsdale, the Hales number one, played some cracking shots against a very strong pace attack before being caught for 21.

P Squire quickly scored 10 before being bowled. Milton Lindsay, another veteran drafted in, took three catches, batted at No 5 and played a very dogged innings in the knowledge that if he could stay at crease others would be able to tick off the required total Without this determination Hales would have struggled. He was eventually adjudged lbw for 18.

A Jones at No 7 soon got into his stride, hitting almost every ball faced to the boundary before he was clean bowled for 46 trying to hit the ball out of the ground going for what would have been a deserved 50.

M Ingram and J Weston batted confidently and saw off the remaining 19 runs required.

Hales closed on 147-7 giving them a much needed victory and 21 points.

The Hales Brown & Sons man of the match which was a close call with Milton Lindsay taking three slip catches and batting as well as he did however, goes to Steve Rowe with bowling figures of 7-30 and his superb management skills. He is planning to retire from cricket at this level at the end of season but has clearly shown in this match that there are still several more years left in the tank.

Bradenham: R Thurley b M Lovick 0, S Matthews c M Lindsay b S Rowe 13, M Selowa c A Jones b S Rowe 36, L Denmark not out 36, M Hunter c M Lindsay b S Rowe 0, M Evans c-b C HLengani 6, P Dewing b S Rowe 0, P Stolworthy lbw S Rowe 4, C Balluza lbw S Rowe 0, B Gates lbw S Rowe 0, D Hillier c M Lindsay b J Weston 16. Bowling: M Lovick 11-4-21-1, J Weston 10.2-0-48-1, S Rowe 12-4-30-7, C HLengani 12-2-36-1.

Hales: M Ramsdale c Selowa b Hillier 21, J Vale b Gates 0, P Squire b Gates 10, C HLengani b Hillier 8, M Lindsay lbw Dewing 18, A Beaumont b Hillier 0, A Jones b Balluza 46, M Ingram not out 13, J Weston not out 4. Bowling: B Stolworthy 3-1-13-0, B Gates 12-4-27-2, R Thurley 1-0-6-0, D Hillier 11-3-38-3, C Balluza 6-0-32-1, L Denmark 2-0-12-0, P Dewing 3.2-1-10-1.

HALES Herd lost to Broadland Bronco's by one wicket, despite Lewis White's sensational bowling spell of 6-20, a career best.

White also starred with the bat top scoring on 24, again another personal best. He received good support from Josh Knight (19), Alfie Kaye (18), Jamie Weston (18) and Issac Rolph (16), as Herd recovered to make 141.

In reply Broncos made a decent start, before White ripped through the middle order,. Two more quick wickets saw Hales in command, with the final pair needing 48.

But both young batsman played superbly and saw the game safe in the penultimate over, which was harsh on Browne and Sons man of the match Lewis White, whose performance was outstanding.