Sutton stars for Sheringham

31 May 2007

FORMER Norwich City striker Chris Sutton kept Sheringham's hopes of promotion from Division Three of the Lovewell Blake Norfolk Alliance bubbling with a half-century against leaders East Harling.

Sutton - who is being linked with a return to the Canaries - hit 74 in Sheringham's 206-8, with Ben Etheridge picking up three wickets.

But Sheringham could not complete an outright victory as East Harling reached 117-8 in reply.

Sheringham travelled still smarting from a surprise defeat the previous weekend. Captain Jimmy Hall lost the toss but was more than happy with being invited to bat first.

After a delay of an hour, play began with a 40-over match agreed between the teams, and Harling drew first blood with the wicket of Chris Wright off just the second ball of the day.

The prolific Pushpakumara made a solid start on a difficult pitch on which to score. After 10 overs, at 17-1, it looked as if a score of 150 would be good. Sheringham then lost Ali Graver for nine to a delivery that pitched and almost rolled along the ground.

Sutton and Pushpakumara began rebuilding the innings. The score accelerated, and by the time Pushi was dismissed for an excellent 57, the score had reached 113 off 27 overs.

Hall and Sutton put on 36 before Hall was run out for 11. Sutton was next to go for a very impressive 74, and by the time he was dismissed Sheringham were well on the way to a challenging total. David King (11), Chad Balluza (9) and Evan Tuck (17) all chipped in with valuable runs, and when the innings closed the Lobsters had compiled a very competitive 206-8.

East Harling started their innings confidently, but after Tuck had removed Wyatt for 11, wickets came at regular intervals. Bowling in tandem with the luckless Pushpakumara, Tuck removed Abel, Alexander and Hilton, aided by fantastic catches by Stuart Smith, Tim Howes and Graver, to finish with 4-27 and effectively end Harling's chances.

Sheringham needed the remaining six wickets with 20 overs left. King bowled well to account for twos, Smith and Hall took one a piece, but despite attacking fields and excellent bowling from Balluza and Jordy Taylor, they just could not find the formula to unlock the final two wickets.