Bradenham Bears beat Martham in cricket league

Bears’ captain Rob Ellis won the toss and elected to bowl first in a reduced 45 overs game. 

Martham was soon in trouble when Will Dewing bowled opener Playford for 0 with only the third ball of the match.

No 3 Sayer joined Dunn and built a useful partnership before Tim Hoare took a good catch in the deep to remove the latter for 26 off Sol Poole’s bowling.

Sayer went next for 43, Brendan Scott taking a superb one-handed catch behind the wicket off Al Bates.

Captain Ellis removed Stedman and Allen cheaply with Josh Watts taking a fine catch and Scott a second excellent catch standing up.

The match was briefly interrupted by rain and when play resumed, Smith was offering some resistance in Martham’s middle order but when he went for 17, the visitors were rocking on 87 for 5.

The remaining batsmen could only add 13 between them and the innings closed on a modest 121 all out.

Bradenham in turn was soon in trouble with the run chase, Bates bring caught for 0 with only a single on the board.

Scott was bowled by Dunn for 8 and Watts by Allen for 7.

Ellis’ poor form with the bat continued when he was caught for 6 and it looked like the home team’s recent problems were set to return with the ream on 24 for 4.

Will Dewing and Matt Braybrook had other ideas though and set about the change bowlers.

Braybrook especially was striking the ball superbly and the score raced away to 120 when Dewing was lbw for 23.

Man-of-the-match Braybrook completed his excellent maiden 1st Team half-century and the Bears won by 5 wickets in the 32nd over.

A delighted Ellis said: “In view of our recent form, this was a big result for us.

"We bowled, caught and fielded very well and hoped our batters would back it up.

"We wobbled a bit but young Matt took command and his maiden first team 50 couldn’t have come at a better time.”

The match was sponsored by Tim Evans. Bradenham CC’s main sponsor is W C Littleproud and Son.