Great Melton A (6 Points) lost to Winterton (24) by 79 runs at Melton Park in Norfolk Cricket Alliance Division Four
 
Great Melton A's misfiring batting again haunted them as they failed to repeat their close encounters with fellow promoted side Winterton, slumping to a 79 run defeat at Melton Park.
 
Things had started well after Lee Whiddett won the toss, inserted the visitors and opening bowlers Gary Coulson and 15 year old Michael Farmer both started with maidens. On a slow wicket, opener Fred Playford used the aerial route and rode his luck to make an important 54 in partnership with skipper Kevin Percival (44). By drinks Winterton progressed well to 89-1.
 
From there Melton fought back extremely well in their best passage of the game. Rob Sims (5-39) dismissed both batsmen and then removed the middle order of Witheridge (21), Crawley (8) and Utting (4) to register a fine ‘fifer'. With good support from Paul Stearman (0-15), Chris McKay (0-41) and with Chris Greenslade (2-6) polishing off the tail following a direct hit run out of Edmonds (1) by Lee Whiddett, Winterton were bowled out in the 45th over for 194.
 
Melton's reply started well with youth products Chris Greenslade and George Bunn looking in good touch, Bunn in particular playing some fine strokes through cover. But they both failed to capitalise on decent starts as Greenslade (10) was yorked by John Allen and then Bunn (21) was well caught at slip. From there the innings really unravelled with Jason (7) and Lee Whiddett (4) unable to get going and Paul Stearman tamely dismissed by the impressive spinner Snowling. With Chris McKay (0) out lbw first ball, Melton were 62-6 from 26 overs.
 
Oliver Harris (24) and Simon Woods (16) did at least show some resistance as did Michael Farmer (7), but Winterton gradually worked their way through the home side batting and when Rob Sims (2) was out Melton were 11 balls short of hanging on for the draw.
 
Top order batting must improve if Melton A are to turn around a disappointing start.
 
Winterton:

J Austin st Woods b L Whiddett 19

F Playford c & b Sims 54

K Percival b Sims 44

M Witheridge c McKay b Sims 21

N Crawley lbw b Sims 8

K Drewitt b Greenslade 21

B Utting c Farmer b Sims 4

D Snowling b Greenslade 14

J Allen b Farmer 4

R Edmonds Run Out (L Whiddett) 1

M Holdsworth Not Out 0

Extras 4

Total (All Out, 45 Overs) 194
G Coulson 7-1-28-0, M Farmer 8-1-36-1, L Whiddett 5-0-27-1, P Stearman 6-0-15-0, C McKay 9-1-41-0, R Sims 8-0-39-5, C Greenslade 2-1-6-2
 
Great Melton A:

C Greenslade b Allen 10

G Bunn c Snowling b Allen 21

J Whiddett lbw b Allen 7

L Whiddett c Percival b Holdsworth 4

P Stearman c Playford b Snowling 7

O Harris b Edmonds 24

C McKay lbw b Holdsworth 0

S Woods c Percival b Allen 16

M Farmer c & b Snowling 7

R Sims lbw b Utting 2

G Coulson Not Out 0

Extras 12

Total (All Out, 45.1 Overs) 115
B Utting 10.1-2-28-1, J Allen 12-3-26-4, D Snowling 11-7-9-2, M Holdsworth 8-3-29-2, R Edmonds 4-0-13-1