A team continue good start as Godbold hammers Hales

Great Melton A (17 Points) achieved a winning draw against Hales and Loddon (8) in the Norfolk Cricket Alliance Division Four

Great Melton A:

M Bunn b Pitcher 11

J Greenslade b Pierce 0

M Clarke c M Lindsay b Selby 48

M Godbold c & b Selby 73

J Ellse b Squire 40

P Stearman b Pitcher 35

L Whiddett c Jones b Pierce 0

D Godbold c Cook b Squire 1

S Woods Not Out 22

J Bickel Not Out 10

Extras 14

Total (8 Wickets, 46 Overs) 254

N Pierce 12-0-41-2, J Pitcher 9-1-53-1, M Stewart 9-1-52-0, T Selby 11-0-89-2, G Squire 5-1-21-2

Hales & Loddon:

M Lindsay b Stearman 22

A Lindsay c & b Stearman 13

G Squire c & b De Salis 25

J Cook b Stearman 4

T Selby Run Out (Greenslade/Whiddett) 28

M Stewart c M Godbold b Bickel 32

N Pearson Not Out 26

T Outlaw Not Out 0

Extras 16

Total (6 Wickets, 46 Overs) 166

P Stearman 12-0-37-3, L De Salis 12-3-38-1, J Bickel 7-0-33-1, D Godbold 9-5-17-0, L Whiddett 5-0-29-0, M Clarke 1-0-8-0

Great Melton A continued their fine start to the season as home comforts once again proved fruitful, Marcus Godbold's 73 helping them to the lion's share of the points in a winning draw against Hales & Loddon at Melton Park.

Put into bat, Melton were not unduly concerned on a hot, sunny day and flat wicket, but they were dealt a couple of early blows as Joey Greenslade (0) played around a full toss from N Pierce and then Martin Bunn (11) played on, leaving the home side 13-2 after 4 overs.

The recovery came from two of last season's first team regulars as Matt Clarke and Marcus Godbold played maturely to see off the impressive Pierce. Clarke in particular looked in excellent early touch as one superb drive over extra cover demonstrated, whilst Godbold was circumspect early but began to punish the change bowlers. They took on the score to 95 in the 21st over when Clarke, looking tired, went for an accomplished 48.

Godbold was joined by Jon Ellse and continued on past 50 as opposition skipper Selby (11-0-89-2) took some severe punishment. Godbold was out in the 31st over for an excellent 73 including 11 fours and a six chipping disappointly back to the bowler but the momentum was maintained in the most damaging partnership of the innings as Ellse and Paul Stearman added 55 runs in only 5 overs to take the score to 209 from 36 overs. At that stage Melton looked well capable of making 280 but with both batsman out bowled soon after and then Lee Whiddett and Daryl Godbold both going cheaply, it was left to Simon Woods (22no) and Joe Bickel (10no) to play maturely to take the score to a still imposing 254-8.

In truth, it was to prove a score that Hales & Loddon would never threaten as Leo De Salis and Paul Stearman kept things very tight. Stearman removed the briefly dangerous A Lindsay for 13 and whilst there were no other breakthroughs early, Hales were just 49-1 from 16 overs and way behind the rate.

That score progressed only to 94-4 from 30 overs with Stearman (3-37) removing Milton Lindsay and J Cook and De Salis (1-38) removing Squire. It was clear by that point that Hales were simply looking for the draw. Melton attacked but lacked the real nous and penetration on a flat wicket to make significant inroads. Daryl Godbold (9-5-17-0) bowled very well without much luck. Joe Bickel produced a mix of good, bad and ugly but did get the wicket of M Stewart in the final over to secure a third bowling point, but the visitors closed on a disappointing 166-6. Nevertheless, it was another strong points haul for Melton, who look in position for a strong season on this early evidence.