AFTER losing a game that was there to be won the previous week, Hales bounced back in their Norfolk Alliance Division One match at home on Saturday, June 26 against high-flyers Sheringham.

AFTER losing a game that was there to be won the previous week, Hales bounced back in their Norfolk Alliance Division One match at home on Saturday, June 26 against high-flyers Sheringham. Hales finished with a winning draw (18 points).

Captain Steve Rowe was put into bat. Hales lost early wickets and with the score on 54-3 Philip Squire was joined by Chris Hlengani and they moved the score on to 209 when Hlengani was out caught for 86, the partnership a new club record for the fourth wicket of 155.

Hales went to 235-5 then Aaron Jones made 39 in a 56 partnership with Squire. Squire hit 21 from one over and Jones 22 from the last one. Hales closed on 291-5 declared to gain three overs to bowl at Sheringham.

Sheringham openers D King and M Spillett quickly put on 89. The Hales captain made a double bowling change with M Lovick and Hlengani stifling the run chase. King batted gamely but fell to a catch behind for 99.

Hales were unable to take the last wicket. M Lovick finished with 3-32 off 14 overs.

The captain's MoM: Philip Squire.

Hales: C Andersen b Wright 3, B Read b Tuck 23, P Squire not out 109, D Andersen lbw Tuck, C HLengani c Spillett b Youngs 86, R Andersen b Youngs 4, A Jones not out 39; extras 25, Total 291. Bowling: E Tuck 13-2-52-2, J Wright 13-0-82-1, J Moy 6-1-22-0, C Moy 9-0-55-0, D King 2-0-23-0, G Youngs 3-0-27-2

Sheringham: D King b Pearce 99, M Spillett lbw HLengani 31, J Moy b HLengani 4,J Hall b Lovick 0, J Wright b Andersen 4,J.Lyloo b Lovick 14, Spillett b Pearce 0, G Youngs b Lovick 1, C Moy b Pearce 0, S Cox not out 8, E Tuck not out 0; extras 41. Total 202. Bowling: R Andersen 13-0-53-1N Pearce 9-1-47-3, J Knights 2-0-12-0, M Lovick 14-5-32-3, C Hlengani 11-1-19-2, S Rowe 4-0-18-0.

HALES A young bowlers Todd Jones and Aaron Beaumont shared eight wickets as the team produced a creditable performance despite defeat by Norfolk League Divison Four high-flyers Drayton A.

Jones ripped through the top order to claim 4 for 34 from 12 disciplined overs, while Beaumont's spin proved valuable late on as Hales restricted the host to 198-9 on a decent track. The duo were aided by some excellent work in the catching department as Hales stuck gamely to their task in the withering heat.

Hales set about their target with gusto, veteran opener Milton Lindsay hitting nine boundaries in his 44 before driving one to the cover fielder. Jon Vale weighed in with 24.

At 93-2 off 20 overs the game was still there for the taking. But the visitors were undone by the introduction of wily spinner James Pepper, who proved too hot for the youthful line-up claming 5 for 54 from 10 overs as Hales succumbed to 167 all out in the 36th over. He was well supported by veteran slow bowler D Massingham who picked up three wickets.

A gritty battling 38 from Rob Beaumont was the highlight of the second half of the reply which saw Hales fall 30 runs short.