Hales completed a memorable season as they wrapped up the division 3 title in their first ever season in the Norfolk Alliance with a comprehensive victory at Barton Turf.
 
Hales won the toss and elected to bowl left-armer Robin Andersen, who was unplayable, and Matt Lovick was tight as ever. It was just a case of survival for the batsmen until South African Jones arrived at the crease.
 
Jones survived a sharp caught-and-bowled chance off his first ball but quickly put it behind him as he started to show his class. Jones was looking dangerous as he passed his half-century, but Graham Squire was bowling beautifully and beat the South African for pace to clean-bowl him and expose a very fragile middle order.
 
With Jones out of the equation, the run rate dropped instantly, and the batsman were just trying to survive as openers Andersen and Lovick came back for impressive second spells. Wanderers limped to just 133 for 6 off their 46 over innings as Hales never let them get away with the game. Steve Rowe claimed 2 for 33 with tidy off-spin, Lovick, Squire and Martin Cornish all claimed a wicket apiece, and Cornish claimed another run-out.
 
In reply, Harmer was promoted back to the openers spot and got the innings underway with a straight drive for 4 off the first ball of the innings. Harmer contributed a rapid-fire 24 until he was dismissed in the 5th over with the score on 35.
 
Chris Andersen and Phil Squire then picked off the runs with ease as both youngsters sealed impressive seasons with the bat. Andersen showed his class and high levels of concentration as he calmly made his way to 48 not out to wrap the game up for Hales.
 
Squire was unlucky to play onto his stumps for 24, and Ramsdale scored a quickfire 20 not out as Hales were officially crowned champions of division 3 with an 8-wicket victory.
 
It is an incredible effort from the youthful Hales team who have secured promotion 3 years in a row now. Each year as the standard raises, so does the quality and the performance of the team, and promotion has been secured each time by winning the league and losing only one game in each of the last three seasons.
 
Norwich and Coltishall Wanderers A innings
 
T Saunders lbw Rowe 7
M Trueman run out (Cornish) 5
A Jones b G Squire 51
J Bunting c Ramsdale b Lovick 24
B Pattern not out 22
A Grantham c C Andersen b M Cornish 0
B Place c R Andersen b Rowe 13
 
Total 133 for 6, 46 overs, extras 11
 
Bowling: R Andersen 12-5-16-0 M Lovick 12-4-35-1 D Harmer 5-0-20-0 S Rowe 8-0-33-2 G Squire 6-0-15-1 M Cornish 3-0-6-1
 
Hales innings
 
D Harmer b Morrfett 24
C Andersen not out 48
P Squire b T Saunders 24
M Ramsdale not out 20
 
Total 134 for 2, 22 overs

Hales secured promotion from Alliance division 3 to 2 in their first season, with victory over second-placed visitors Hillington. Hales skipper Steve Rowe won the toss and elected to bowl first on a wicket that looked favourable to seam bowling.

Despite the rain during the week, there was some pace in the wicket, and opening pair Rob Andersen and Graham Squire exploited this well, both beating the bat regularly. Although they only took one wicket in the first 12 overs, they kept the visitors to only 16 runs. Rowe and Matthew Lovick were introduced into the attack and kept things tight, with Hillington only reaching their first batting point at 100 in the 38th over.

Rowe took 2 for 14 from 10 overs, and Squire 2 for 41 from 12, as Hillington closed their innings on 134 for 6 with Fisher (49) and Freeman(46 not out) the main contributors. Andersen and Lovick were also economical, and despite Hales dropping three difficult catches and one fairly easy one, the support the bowlers got in the field was excellent as Hales gave a superb display of ground-fielding. Chris Andersen was again excellent behind the stumps, claiming two catches and conceding no byes.

Martin Cornish (13) and Chris Andersen (12) were made to work in a similar fashion by the Hillington opening attack, although Cornish managed to cut loose with two huge 6s in the third over. When they departed, Dave Harmer (19) anchored the innings as Phil Squire (4) and Mark Ramsdale (11) departed. He was joined by Dan Andersen (44), who picked up the tempo, timing the ball better than anyone else had that day. The departure of Harmer and Lovick (0), who could not repeat his heroics of the return fixture earlier in the season, did not faze Andersen at all as he continued to take the attack to the Hillington bowlers. 

He was joined by Jon Vale (24 not out) in a decisive partnership of 44 to take Hales within 10 runs of victory before Andersen was bowled by the impressive Matthews, who returned figures of 4 for 33 from 11 overs. Rob Andersen was 1 not out as Vale kept his cool to hit the winning runs to give Hales victory by 3 wickets with 4.3 overs to spare.

Hales took 20 points from the encounter to Hillington's 5, opening the gap at the top to 19 points with one game to play. Hales visit Wanderers this week knowing they need only 7 points to secure their third successive championship, even if Hillington achieve a maximum 25-point haul.

Chedgrave White Horse Man of the Match goes to Dan Andersen for a wonderful innings of 44 that gave impetus to the Hales innings in bowler-friendly conditions. 

Hillington innings

A Jarvis Run out 24

S Thaxton Jnr Ct Harmer b G Squire 3

S Fisher Run out 49

B Freeman Not out 46

D Fuller ct C Andersen b G Squire 1

M Jarvis ct C Andersen b Rowe 12

M Marwick bowled Rowe 1

A M Jarvis Not out 0

Extras 3

Total 134 for 6

Bowling: R Andersen 12-3-32-0 G Squire 12-1-41-2 M Lovick 12-2-39-0 S Rowe 10-4-14-2

Hales innings

M Cornish ct Fisher b Matthews 13

C Andersen ct Thaxton b Matthews 12

D Harmer LBW M Jarvis 17

P Squire bowled Matthews 4

M Ramsdale ct Thaxton b Freeman 11

D Andersen ct M Jarvis b Matthews 44

M Lovick ct Fuller b Freeman 0

J Vale Not out 24

R Andersen Not out 1

Extras 9

Total 135 for 7

Bowling: C Matthews 11-4-33-4 I Bix 9-2-24-0 B Freeman 9-0-23-2 M Jarvis 10-0-33-1 S Fisher 2.3-0-13-0 

Hales came another step closer to becoming Alliance division 3 champions when they easily beat Downham A by 8 wickets. On a pitch that looked green and damp, and which had a ridge on a length, skipper Steve Rowe won the toss and elected to field.

Robin Andersen bowled tidily as usual, going for 3 off his first 6 overs. The Downham openers did their best to keep the scoreboard ticking, but it wasn’t happening for them as they were pegged back at 18 for 0 off the first 12 overs. Hales finally got a deserved breakthrough in the 29th over when Kaveny was caught by Martin Cornish off Matthew Lovick for 21.

After that point, wickets came a little easier as the Downham batsmen knew they had to do something to get up to a decent score. Rowe dismissed Coe for a slow but hard-battled 59. Andersen came back on after Lovick had finished his 12 overs to bowl another 6 overs, conceding 10 from these. He clean-bowled Ferguson and had Edwards caught behind by stand-in keeper Mark Ramsdale as Chris Andersen had pulled up in the warm-up.

R. Andersen then got another wicket caught by Lovick. This left Downham at 81 for 4 off 37 overs. Rowe dismissed Grommit in the last over to ensure Hales got 6 wickets and 3 bowling points, as Downham’s innings closed on 100 for 6 from 46 overs.

In reply, Hales got off to a great start as Cornish, who was standing in for injured Dave Harmer, went out with a 'no nonsense' attitude as he smashed boundaries to all parts of the ground. He and Chris Andersen had 50 on the board off 10 overs before Andersen departed in the 11th over for 18.

Phil Squire then came in, and he and Cornish carried on hitting the ball all round the park. Cornish got up to 48 with a big 6, but was then bowled two balls later for a well-batted 48. With 3 needed, Dan Andersen came in and finished it off in one ball as he and Squire ran a 3.

Hales have a 1st v 2nd clash tomorrow as Hillington visit Postwick.

With only three games left in this year's league season, Hales are in control to win division 3 of the Alliance.

On a wicket that had been covered overnight, skipper Rowe had no second thoughts but to field first on a day which favoured the bowlers, also knowing that weather could play a part. Andersen and Squire opened up as usual Andersen hitting good line and lengths early on, making both batsmen continuously play and miss outside the off stump. Andersen showed his full potential by swinging the ball in and hitting the seam going past the outside edge.

At the other end, Squire could not quite find his rhythm and was bowling loose deliveries that were getting punished by the Swaffham openers. Rowe was forced into an early bowling change as Squire was not hitting his straps.

Rowe started off well but then started to be punished as anything that was full disappeared to the fence for runs. Lovick then replaced Andersen, who was clearly the pick of the bowlers, finishing wicketless but going for only 13 runs off his 6 overs. With a soaking wet ball, Lovick also found it hard to bowl a consistent line and length, and anything loose was getting dispatched by the Swaffham openers. Boardman reached his half century in quick time by capitalising on some poor bowling by Hales.

Squire came back on and replaced Rowe, and got the breakthrough immediately, getting Boardman caught at deep cover by Kaye for a well-played 62. After this, only three more overs were bowled before the heavens opened and the match was abandoned with Swaffham well poised on 109-1 off 24 overs. Another fine tea was produced by Belinda Rowe, who definitely seems to have the hang of making cricket teas!
 
 
Swaffham innings
I Walsh Not out 37
G Boardman c J Kaye b G Squire 62
M Eagle Not out 3
 
Total 109 for 1, 24.4 overs, 7 extras
 
Bowling: R Andersen 6-2-13-0, G Squire 5-1-22-1, S Rowe 7-1-34-0, M Lovick 6.4-0-35-0
 
 

Hales travelled to Thetford for a day of stop–start cricket as the weather played a frustrating roll in the proceedings. League leaders Hales consolidated their place at the top of the table with a 16-point winning draw in far from ideal conditions.
 
Hales were asked to bat first, and Dave Harmer and Chris Andersen were quick to get the board ticking, both openers showing their form with confident stroke play. Thetford quickly turned to their young leg spinners for the breakthrough, but this worked in favour of Hales as Harmer launched an assault on the spinners.
 
With Harmer in such an aggressive mood and Andersen looking solid as ever, Thetford looked delighted when play was stopped for rain in the 14th over with the score on 64 for 0. With Thetford having no covers for the pitch and constant heavy rain, the game looked over.
 
However, with an early tea taken, there were signs of improvement in the weather as the sun started to shine through. The teams took to the field again, and the Hales innings was underway with Harmer racing to another fine half-century.
 
With Harmer and Andersen (32) seeing off the new ball and demoralising the Thetford attack, it seemed it was not enough for the middle order as once again the Hales batsmen just threw their wickets away needlessly.
 
Thetford became confident and had Hales in trouble, but Martin Cornish (33) had other ideas. Cornish played a timely knock for his team and, unlike the reast of the middle order, took some responsibility. A good combination of patient defence and powerful hitting took Hales ever closer to the 200 mark.
 
Captain Steve Rowe played a quick-fire cameo innings at the end as he scored an innovative 22 not out as Hales finished on 201 for 9.
 
In reply, Thetford showed absolutely no attempt to chase the target and took the 'dead bat' approach as they did earlier in the season. Graham Squire and Robin Andersen were aggressive in their opening spells, and both picked up early wickets.
 
This bought Conroy and Piggott to the crease to began their pedestrian innings with uncertain tickles through the slips and gully region. Cornish and Lovick bowled tirelessly in search of the breakthrough but it just didn’t seem to happen.
 
Andersen returned to claim the wicket of Piggott, and a run-out at the end gave Hales the extra bowling point as the game fizzled out to another winning draw. Robin Andersen was easily the pick of the bowlers this week, and Thetford finished on 143 for 4 with Conroy finishing on just 67 not out after over 42 overs at the crease.
 
G Squire Sports Footwear Man of the Match goes to Martin Cornish for holding the innings together at the end.

Hales innings

D Harmer lbw Conroy 55
C Andersen lbw Conroy 32
D Andersen c Dennis b Terry 10
M Ramsdale c Dennins b Terry 0
R Andersen c Sparkes b Conroy 17
J Vale c&b Turner 11
M Cornish c Bryton b Turner 33
M Lovick c Lingard b Conroy 3
S Rowe not out 22
G Squire not out 7
 
Total 201 for 9, 45 overs, Extras 11
 
Bowling: J Lingard 9-2-32-0 S Turner 11-1-47-2 M Terry 12-2-60-2 L Conroy 12-1-50-4
 
Thetford innings
 
K Bryaton c C Andersen b G Squire 1
P Terry c D Andersen b R Andersen 8
L Conroy not out 67
M Piggott c M Ramsdale b R Andersen 32
A Dennis run out 20
U Iqbal not out 1
 
Total 143 for 4, 47 overs, Extras 14
 
Bowling: R Andersen 12-4-31-2 G Squire 12-4-40-1 M Lovick 9-3-21-0 M Cornish 6-1-15-0 S Rowe 5-2-14-0 G Montagu 3-0-16-0
 
Beccles & Bungay Roll of Honour nomination: D Harmer 55.

Hales went clear at the top of the table for the first time this season after another hard-earned 60-run victory at Home to Fakenham A.
 
Hales won the toss and elected to bat, but with Dave Harmer suffering a mystery illness and Chris Andersen unavailable, Milton Lindsay and Gary Summons opened the proceedings. Both found the going tough and Summons departed in the 10th over, followed by Lindsay and Joe Kaye in the 11th over.
 
With Hales struggling on 21 for 3, Harmer made his way to the crease to try and stabilise the innings with Mark Ramsdale. Harmer got off to a flyer, quickly stamping his authority on the innings as he drove effortlessly down the ground. Ramsdale soon began to find his feet as well but was unlucky to be dismissed for 21 after a delivery kept low. Two more wickets fell in quick succession to leave Hales in deep trouble at 72 for 5, which bought Martin Cornish to the crease.
 
Harmer remained unfazed by the situation and continued to remain solid in defence as he shouldered the Hales innings. Cornish looked in fine touch in a quick-fire 22 in a 50-run partnership for the 7th wicket as he and Harmer stepped on the gas.
 
Eventually Harmer’s defiant innings ended as he was the last wicket to fall for an excellent innings of 76, and Hales were bowled out for 172 in the 42nd over.
 
In reply Fakenham A got off to a slow start against the opening attack of Robin Andersen and Graham Squire. Andersen was simply too good to find the edge and beat the bat continuously on his way to conceeding just 8 runs from 7 overs. Squire was finding form again as he bowled with good rhythm, but Fakenham’s overseas Silva was starting to show his aggressive intent.
 
However, some wonderful bowling from the first change attack of Steve Rowe and Matt Lovick demolished nearly the entire Fakenham team. Rowe was cunning and thoughtful in his spell of 3 for 25, and Lovick was bowling with complete control as he reeled off 13 overs on the bounce in his excellent spell of 4 for 37.
 
Squire picked up the wicket of dangerman Silva for 32 as he was well caught behind by Ramsdale to practically seal the game for Hales.
 
Fakenham were bowled out for 112 as Hales romped home in the field. Some outstanding bowling, backed up by tidy fielding as Harmer, Ramsdale, Lovick and Cornish all held on to vital catches was the key as Hales defended a very poor batting performance.
 
The R Chubbock Fruit and Veg Man of the Match goes to Harmer for battling through his illness in his vital innings of 76.
 
Hales innings
 
M Lyndsey b Silva 2
G Summons c Crane b Hood 6
M Ramsdale b Piper 21
J Kaye lbw Silva 0
D Harmer b Silva 76
J Vale c Dunger b Piper 5
R Andersen c&b Piper 11
M Cornish c Piper b Savoury 22
M Lovick b Silva 10
G Squire lbw Silva 0
S Rowe not out 8
 
Total 172 all out, 42 overs, Extras 11
 
Bowling: T Silva 10.4-2-31-5 T Hood 8-4-16-1 M Burton 9-1-41-0 S Piper 8-2-32-3 C Crane 4-0-23-0 R Savoury 3-0-20-0
 
Fakenham A Innings
 
B Whitewood c Cornish b Lovick 18
C Crane c&b G Squire 5
S Piper c Ramsdale b Lovick 8
T Silva c Ramsdale b Squire 32
P Minns c Harmer b Rowe 0
J Clarke c Harmer b Lovick 2
W Dunger c&b Rowe 1
D Futter lbw Lovick 2
M Burton c Lovick b Rowe 25
R Savoury not out 2
T Hood Retired Hurt 0
 
Total 112 all out, 40 overs, extras 16
 
Bowling: R Andersen 7-2-8-0 G Squire 10-0-28-2 M Lovick 13-4-37-4 S Rowe 9-1-25-3
 
Beccles & Bungay Roll of Honour nominations: S Rowe 3 for 25, Lovick 4 for 37, Harmer 76

Matthew Lovick produced another match-winning performance as Hales keep hot on the heels of league leaders Hillington by beating East Harling by 4 wickets.

Hales lost the toss and were very surprised to be asked to bowl first on a pitch that had been under covers that had leaked through the overnight rain.

Robin Andersen and Lovick opened the bowling and offered nothing for Harling to score from, causing them all sorts of problems. Andersen bowled with hustle and energy, whilst Lovick complimented this with a metronomical line and length.

Harling found the going tough, and it was only J Alexander (34) and J Briggs (28) who managed to show any scoring capabilities – and even that was only in patches. Hales restricted the home side to just 149 for 8 off 46 overs. Andersen, Steve Rowe and Martin Cornish all picked up 2 wickets a piece, whilst Lovick chipped in with 1 in his miserly spell.

In reply, Hales lost the early wicket of Chris Andersen lbw for 2, but Phil Squire and Dave Harmer continued their good form from the previous week as they quickly steadied the ship. Harmer scored boundaries freely and Squire batted patiently and solidly until Harmer was caught at slip for 37. This then triggered the all too familiar Hales collapse as Mark Ramsdale, Dan Andersen and Jon Vale all fell in quick succession to leave Hales in trouble.

Squire was then dismissed for a very robust innings of 38 as Hales were rocking at 100 for 6. With plenty of overs in hand, Hales could have picked off 2 an over to win the game, but powerhouse Lovick strode to the crease with different ideas. All-rounder Lovick smashed five 4s and three 6s in a whirlwind innings of 42 not out to win the game for Hales in style.

P Dye TV Installation and Repairs Man of the Match goes to Lovick for another quality all-round performance.

East Harling innings

N Crickmore lbw S Rowe 18
J Wyatt c Rowe b Lovick 18
J Alexander c R Andersen b Rowe 34
J Briggs c G Squire b R Andersen 28
S Hilton c C Andersen b R Andersen 17
M Lykes run out 3
P King c R Andersen b Cornish 2
B Wells not out 12
T Alexander st C Andersen b Cornish 13
M Leeder not out 0

Total 149 for 8, 46 overs, extras 4

Bowling R Andersen 12-3-26-2 M Lovick 12-7-20-1 G Squire 2-0-10-0 S Rowe 9-1-26-2 D Harmer 3-0-18-0 M Cornish 8-0-45-2

Hales innings

D Harmer c Briggs b Leeder 37
C Andersen lbw Pill 2
P Squire c King b Hilton 38
M Ramsdale c Pill b Leeder 7
D Andersen b S Hilton 4
J Vale c B Wells b M Leeder 4
M Lovick not out 42
M Cornish not out 9

Total 150 for 6, 34 overs, extras 7

Bowling M Pill 6-1-19-1 P King 7-1-16-0 T Alexander 3-0-14-0 M Leeder 11.2-2-54-3 S Hilton 7-0-43-2

David Harmer and Phil Squire added a season's best partnership for Hales so far as they added 135 for the 2nd wicket to Demolish Hunstan at Postwick.
 
Hales won the toss and elected to bowl first, getting off to a flyer with the new ball on a hard, fast Postwick wicket. Robin Andersen was the pick of the Hales’ pace attack again as he claimed a long-awaited haul of wickets as he claimed 4 for 19 to put Hunstanton in trouble early in their innings.
 
Andersen and Squire bowled with genuine pace as they put the wind up the Hunstanton top order right from the word go. Left-armer Andersen was unplayable and had the batsmen ducking and swaying as they tried to come to terms with his hostility. He then removed both the openers, including the overseas, as Hales got on top.
 
Brief middle-order resistance came from Hunstanton as Saddleton (37) and M Sayers (38 not out) steered Hunstanton to 141 off 46 overs. Matt Lovick bowled an exceptionally tight spell as he reeled off 12 overs on the trot, conceding just 17 runs as he blocked up one end brilliantly.
 
In reply Harmer smashed the first ball of the innings through point, and Hales made a solid start until Chris Andersen ran himself out after a direct hit from the fielder. With just 7 on the board, P Squire strode to the crease and built an excellent 135-run partnership with Harmer to win the game for Hales.
 
Squire played the anchor role initially as Harmer sent the ball to all parts of the field as he smashed an enormous six to bring up another whirlwind half-century. With more time at the crease, Squire was gaining in confidence and started to time his stroke play really well. Harmer then played the anchor role, picking off ones and twos as Squire cut loose with some top-notch stroke play as he pulled through midwicket and drove elegantly through the covers.
 
With a half-century in sight and not many needed for the win, Harmer settled for quick singles to allow Squire to reach another well-deserved league half-century. Squire sealed the victory and his 50 with a drive for 2 straight down the ground.
 
Big T's Pies and Pasties Cafe Man of the Match was a tough call, Harmer dominated the bowling and controlled the innings, brilliantly but youngsters Phil Squire and Robin Andersen both played with a lot of maturity. With a batting collapse a familiar second innings sight for Hales, P Squire claims the award for taking a chunk of the responsibility and the runs with his 51 not out.
 
Hunstanton innings
 
D Sayers c C Andersen b R Andersen 9
Srinivas c C Andersen b R Andersen 12
S Bagnall c Harmer b G Squire 4
M Saddleton b Harmer 38
T Mallett run out 28
M Sayers not out 38
G Sewell c Squire b R Andersen 1
A Fox b R Andersen 0
M Sewell lbw Squire 3
A Mcnamara not out 1
 
Total 141 for 9, 46 overs, extras 7
 
Bowling R Andersen 11-4-19-4 G Squire 11-2-52-2 M Lovick 12-5-17-0 M Cornish 9-1-30-0 D Harmer 4-0-20-1
 
Hales innings
 
D Harmer not out 79
C Andersen run out 0
P Squire not out 51
 
Total 142 for 1 wicket, 26 overs, extras 12
 
Bowling M Sayers 4-1-17-0 G Sewell 7-1-34-0 D Sayers 3-0-21-0 A Mcnamara 5-0-30-0 B Brotherton 3-0-15-0 Srinivas 3.3-0-22-0 M Saddleton 1-0-1-0
 
Beccles & Bungay Roll of Honour nominations: D Harmer 79 not out, P Squire 51 not out, R Andersen 4 for 19

Hales were demolished by 86 runs by Ashmanaugh in the Coronation Cup as overseas star T Satti ran riot with the ball at Hales Green.
 
Ashmanaugh batted first and made a reasonable start on their way to 105 for 9 off their 15 eight-balll overs. Graham Squire was in fluent form and bowled with raw pace and good control. Squire put the brakes on the Ashmanaugh innings as he clean-bowled 6 batsman in an incredible 3-over spell, conceding just 8 runs.
 
T Satti then unbelievably went one better and destroyed the Hales top order; he too claimed 6 clean-bowled victims off his 3-over spell and conceded just 4 runs. The Hales top six batsman contributed just 1 run, and at one point Hales found themselve 10 for 8 on their way to a pathetic total of just 19.
 
Beccles & Bungay Roll of Honour nomination: G Squire 6 for 8

Dan Andersen showed his class as he scored a whirlwind maiden century for the Hales first team, but once again Hales were faced with the frustrating and familiar ending to their game as Wanderers held out in a very uneventful second innings.
 
Hales cashed in against a ragged Wanderers attack to compile a mammoth 333 run first-innings total. The top order was firing well, and everyone contributed with some aggressive stroke play.
 
Dan Andersen was the star of the show as he belted an incredible century, which included 12 fours and 7 sixes, boundaries contributing to 90 of the youngster’s 123-run innings. Andersen was in a dominant mood as he got his innings underway with 18 off the first over he faced, and he just carried on smashing the bowlers all around the park, with some huge boundaries.
 
Jon Vale also weighed in with his maiden first team half-century as he scored 50 not out, which included some towering sixes of his own as he and Lovick (32) pushed Hales towards their mammoth total. Eventually Rowe declared the innings on 44 overs, allowing Hales an extra 2 overs to try and bowl out Wanderers.
 
In reply Wanderers made absolutely no effort to achieve the run rate and offered nothing more than defensive shots as they played for the losing draw from the word go. On a lifeless wicket, Rowe and Harmer tried to buy some wickets with some tempting spin, and although a breakthrough was made, the trend continued all the way through the 48-over innings.
 
Overseas player Jones briefly offered some sort of positive influence until he was well worked over by R Andersen, having him caught behind. With this the game was completely lifeless and nothing else happened as Wanderers limped to 200 off 48 overs. R Andersen was by far the pick of the bowlers, as he steamed in tirelessly.
 
Straight Steve’s Stunning Driveways Ltd Man of the Match goes to Dan Andersen for his brilliant century.
 
Hales innings
 
D Harmer b Tait 23
C Andersen c, b Lambert 36
P Squire c Trueman b Myhill 23
M Ramsdale c Jones b Lambert 11
D Andersen st Taylor b Myhill 123
J Vale not out 50
M Lovick c Jones b Lambert 32
M Cornish not out 7
 
Total 333 for 6, 44 overs, extras 26
 
Wanderers innings
 
L Taylor b Harmer 33
M Trueman not out 62
A Jones c C Andersen b R Andersen 21
R Humpfries lbw Rowe 16
C Lambert not out 32
 
Total 200 for 3, 48 overs, extras 36
 
Bowling R Andersen 12-3-34-1 G Squire 10-2-39-0 M Lovick 11-3-28-0 S Rowe 8-1-24-1 M Cornish 2-0-13-0 D Harmer 5-1-35-1
 
Beccles & Bungay Roll of Honour nomination: D Andersen 123, J Vale 50 not out

Matthew Lovick was the star of the show as he carried Hales through a poor performance to narrowly beat top of the table Hillington by one wicket.
 
In a reduced overs game of 40 overs per side, Hales were off to a flyer as they had the home side on the back foot, reducing them to 76 for 6 off 17 overs. Martin Cornish claimed another run-out in the first over of the game after a tidy pick-up and throw from point. Steve Rowe, Lovick, Robin Andersen and Phil Squire all bowled excellent openeing spells to rip apart a very good Hillington top order.
 
In a bizarre turn of events, Hales let Hillington off the hook as they added 70 for the 7th wicket. Lovick started off the shocking Hales fielding as he took a swirling catch on the boundary and then celebrated like a premiership footballer running of the pitch to kiss his wife, only to concede 6 runs!
 
With a wet ball, it was a tough day for fielding, but no excuses can be made as Hales spilled catch after catch. Catches went down on the boundary, there were mix-ups between two people going for the same catch, and catches went down in the slips, at one point 2 in 3 balls to the same person in the slips. Such an easy catch went down at square leg that people wondered if they were still watching adults’ cricket!
 
Eventually Andersen mopped up the tail and Hillington were bowled out for 146 in 33 overs. Andersen and Squire claimed 2 wickets apiece, and Rowe (3 for 46) was unlucky not to claim 5 wickets as the chances went down.
 
Hales started very carefully as they had the added bonus of 47 overs to chase the 147 target as they claimed some first innings overs. Unfortunately, Hales were then on the recieving end of some very unfortunate umpiring decisions that left even the Hillington side baffled.
 
The middle order then threw away their wickets as Hales tumbled towards a second defeat of the season. With the score on 86 for 8 in the 37th over, Lovick strode to the crease determined to make amends for his first innings’ clanger.
 
Powerhouse Lovick then played the innings of his life as he quite litereally single-handedly blasted Hales to the 147 target in 7 overs to seal an incredible win for Hales. His innings of 52 not out contained 4 fours and 4 enormous sixes that landed in another post code.  Lovick was simply awsome as he sealed an emphatic victory for Hales to beat the  league leaders to move up to third position in the league.
 
Credit must also go to Squire for holding the innings together with a very patient 46, which gave Lovick the opportunity to finish the game.
 
Bobs Builders Ltl Man of the Match goes to Lovick, who is emerging as one of the finest strikers of a cricket ball in the division.
 
Hillington innings
 
A Jarvis run out (Cornish) 0
H Bix c Rowe b Squire 18
S Fisher b Lovick 24
M Osborne b S Rowe 5
J Marwick b S Rowe 4
S Thaxton run out (Andersen) 22
D Fuller c P Squire b Rowe 22
M Jarvis c G Squire b R Andersen 45
A Cooper b G Squire 0
S Thaxton b R Andersen 0
C Matthews not out 0
 
Total 146 all out, 33 overs, extras 2
 
Bowling R Andersen 7-2-33-2 G Squire 6-1-21-2 S Rowe 10-2-46-3 M Lovick 10-1-44-1
 
Hales innings
 
D Harmer c Thaxton b Matthews 7
C Andersen b Matthews 2
P Squire c Cooper b Fisher 46
M Ramsdale run out 0
D Andersen lbw 0
J Vale c Fuller b Jarvis 4
M Cornish c Fuller b Thaxton 14
R Andersen c Osbourne b Fisher 7
S Rowe b Fisher 0
M Lovick not out 52
G Squire not out 0
 
Total 147 for 9, 45 overs, Extras 15
 
Bowling C Matthews 12-7-10-2 M Jarvis 12-3-30-2 S Fisher 11-2-62-3 S Thaxton 10.3-1-32-1
 
Beccles & Bungay Roll of Honour nominations: S Rowe 3 for 46, M Lovick 52 not out out

A second century opening stand between Norfolk starlet Chris Andersen and David Harmer secured another winning draw for Hales against Downham A. Hales dominated the game with bat and ball but narrowly missed out again on full points as the visitors hung on.
 
Andersen and Harmer had to be patient and solid against some exceptionally disciplined bowling from Downham. The bowlers bowled tight lines and gave nothing away as the fielders chipped away as the maidens mounted up. With a slow run rate on a seaming wicket, Harmer took the attack to Downham with some powerful batting and some huge straight sixes. As the Downham attack became demoralised with no breakthrough, Harmer and  Andersen began to dominate.
 
The opening stand of 118 came to an end as Harmer fell for an excellent 65. Andersen reached another fine half century a few overs later before being dismissed for 54. With runs on the board and wickets in hand, the Hales middle order cruised to 218 for 4 off 46 overs. Phil Squire (20), Mark Ramsdale (24 not out), Aaron Jones (17) and Dan Andersen (24 not out) were the other contributors.
 
Downham’s reply never really got going as they limped through their 46 overs reaching just 117 for 8 against some quality Hales bowling. Martin Cornish was given a rare opportunity with the ball, and he didn't disappoint as he removed the opener and Downham’s Australian overseas at number 3, both well caught behind.
 
More inspirational fielding from point by Cornish took another Downham wicket as he was electric at in the field again. Week after week, Cornish saves big runs and causes all sorts of problems for the batsman as they are convinced they have got the ball past him, only for him to gather the ball and launch it at the stumps with pinpoint accuracy.
 
Steve Rowe and Matt Lovick then chipped in with two wickets each to leave Hales on the verge of another win, but the tail end just managed to hold on. Another spirited display from Hales keeps them mixing with the top half of the table.
 
M.P. Cornish Driveway Specialists LTD Man of the Match goes to David Harmer for taking control of the innings with his 65.

Hales Innings
D Harmer b Edwards 65
C Andersen c Barrow b Kavaney 54
P Squire c Ferguson b Kavaney 20
A Jones b Edwards 17
M Ramsdale not out 24
D Andersen not out 24
Total 216 for 4, 46 overs, Extras 12
 
Bowling: J Porter 12-2-37-0 N Barrow 11-3-42-0 N Langford 7-0-27-0 A Dunn 6-1-32-0 C Edwards 5-0-23-2 s Kavaney 5-0-23-2
 
Downham Innings
J Coe c C Andersen b Cornish 10
N Grommett b G Squire 9
A Dunn c C Andersen b Cornish 10
S Kavaney b Lovick 22
M Ferguson run out Cornish 0
S Brooking lbw S Rowe 38
N Barrow c&b S Rowe 6
J Porter b Lovick 5
C Edwards not out 7
N Malby not out 0
 
Total 117 for 8, 46 overs, Extras 11
 
Bowling: R Andersen 12-3-41-0 G Squire 11-3-21-1 M Lovick 12-3-27-2 M Cornish 6-1-21-2 S Rowe 5-3-4-2
 
Beccles and Bungay Roll of Honour nominations: D Harmer 65, C Andersen 54.

Hales Sunday travelled to East Harling with a young side and lost by 4 wickets on a wet and variable wicket.

Hales won the toss and batted first, with Graham Squire and Rob Mattocks opening the batting. Only Squire managed to get the ball off the square with authority as the whole Hales batting line-up collapsed. A combination of good bowling and inconsistent bounce from a pitch that had been under leaking covers for 2 days was the downfall of Hales. Squire departed for 22, and only David Harmer and Dan Andersen managed double figures as Hales were bowled out for 69 in 32 overs.

East Harling then served up their notoriously stunning tea as the chairman’s wife dished up the finest teas any East Anglian cricket club has ever seen. A wonderful selection of hot and cold meats with fresh deep-pan pizza and a sublime selection of home-baked cakes were the toast of the day for the young Hales team.

Tom Vale and Harmer opened the eating as they tucked into the freshly cooked chicken legs and chicken and bacon pizzas. Vale was off to a flyer as he peppered himself with slice after slice of pizza. The more refined Harmer took a particular liking to the bbq chicken legs. The Hales middle order then swarmed the fresh cakes and sausage rolls, whilst the tailenders looked on agonisingly. Fortunately the banquet of East Harling kept coming, and the tail end really managed to wag.

With this cunning tactic, East Harling had succeeded in overfeeding Hales to claim an easy victory. Harling reached their 69 run target in the 25th over for the loss of 6 wickets, despite the fact that no batsman really got going against some spirited bowling form Hales.

Harmer bowled 7 maidens in a row, including 3 wicket maidens, to put East Harling under a bit of pressure early on. Aside from that, Beaumont and Kaye showed promise as the home side picked off the ones and twos needed for victory.

Hales innings
R Mattocks b Alexander 1
G Squire b Alexander 22
J Vale b Jubb 5
P Dye b Alexander 1
D Harmer b Alexander 12
D Andersen b Fowler 10
T Collier b Fowler 1
J Cook b Leeder
T Vale b Marlow
A Beaumont b Thomas 5
A Kaye not out 0

Total 69 all out 32 overs 9 extras

East Harling innings
R Free c&b Harmer 14
M Jubb lbw Andersen 8
R Pickerall b Beaumont 12
D Fowler lbw Harmer 0
G Stark b Harmer 0
B Wells not out 21
C Marlon run out 2
M Leeder not out 4

70 for 6 25 overs, Extras 9

bowling: D Andersen 7-1-25-1 Harmer 10-7-8-3 A Kaye 4-0-10-0 J Vale
3-0-15-0 Beaumont 2-0-8-1

Beccles & Bungay Roll of Honour nomination: D Harmer 3 for 8.

Hales travelled to Hunstanton for their opening fixture in their first-ever Alliance campaign. Hales gained credibility with a winning draw after clawing their way back into the game, both in the field and with the bat.

Hales CC travelled to Swardeston Common to play their only warm-up game before the start of the league season.

Chris Andersen was the star of the show as he scored his maiden century for the club. U15 county player Chris was a different class as he coasted his way through all 45 overs of the innings to finish unbeaten on 102.