Following two successive defeats Cromer entertained Bradfield at the Norton Warnes in a clash of two North Norfolk clubs. With Anthony Robinson, Chris Carey, Kristian Regis and Sam Baxter once again all available for selection the Cromer side were close to full strength as they looked to get a positive result.
The visitors won the toss and put Cromer into bat. Ben Clarke and Pete Gascoyne opened for the hosts and Clarke made his intentions clear smashing 3 boundaries in the first over. Clarke’s innings would come to an end in the 3rd over, caught Kimber off the bowling of Wiseman, after hitting a quick fire 21. Ollie Kimber then followed Clarke back to the pavilion when he was caught behind with the next delivery.
Captain Tom Davies joined Gascoyne in the middle and the pair guided their team into a good position. They kept the scoreboard ticking over at a rate of about 4 runs per over. The bowling of Wiseman, Seaman, Yarham and Abbs were causing few issues to the Cromer batsmen. Davies was the first to reach his half century and Gascoyne followed suit very soon after. Scanell did end the partnership when he got the wicket of Gascoyne for 51, caught by Johnson. Gascoyne and Davies had put on a stand of 119. Cromer were now 141 for 3 in the 32nd over.
Carey was the new batsman and he wasted little time in settling at the crease and was soon catching up with the score of Davies. Carey was the more aggressive of the two whilst Davies was edging his way towards a century. In just over 13 overs the pair put on 121 runs. Carey made 77 of these from 42 deliveries before his impressive innings came to an end when Johnson caught him on the boundary off the bowling of Seaman.
There was now just five overs remaining and Cromer were ending towards 300. Tom Davies then reached his century, and along with Dean Elliott they ensured their side made it beyond the 300 mark and posted a total of 304 for 4.
Davies’ excellent innings saw him finish unbeaten on 113 whilst Elliott was 21 not out.
Bradfield had had a difficult 50 overs in the field as the Cromer batsmen gave very few opportunities, and none of the bowlers had the most productive day with Wiseman the best of the bunch taking two of the four wickets to fall.
With the ball Cromer made the perfect start with openers Anthony Robinson and James Craske both taking a wicket in their first over. Robinson got Johnson with the first ball of the innings and Craske dismissed Bidewell, both for ducks and caught behind by Ollie Kimber.
The worst possible start for Bradfield who already had a tough task ahead of them chasing down 305, the Cromer bowlers were giving very little away and Craske would pick up two more wickets, Botwright and Yarham, leaving the visitors 29 for 4 in the 10th over.
Craske’s spell came to an end and he had superb figures of 3 for 6 from his six overs. Carey then joined the bowling attack and dismissed Alex Kimber in his second over.
The only aim now for Bradfield was to deny the outright win for Cromer. The home side got two more wickets with the score on 56, and with up to 30 overs remaining Cromer needed 3 more wickets for victory.
Gray and Wiseman would frustrate Cromer for 13 overs but then Dean Elliott came into the attack and bowled Gray, and shortly after got Wiseman leg before. This would prove to be the final wicket as Reynolds didn’t bat for Bradfield due to an injury picked up when bowling earlier in the day.
Craske was the pick of the bowlers with his three wickets whilst Carey and Elliott both grabbed two each. An emphatic 209 run victory for Cromer who picked up a maximum 25 points and moved into mid table in the Division One standings.