Aldborough 209 for five (6pts), lost to Hardingham 210 for three (23 pts)A superb century and man of the match performance by Oli Howes (102 no), son of experienced cricketer Barny Goodrum (45) was the highlight of this intriguing match at Hardingham on Saturday.

Aldborough 209 for five (6pts), lost to Hardingham 210 for three (23 pts)

A superb century and man of the match performance by Oli Howes (102 no), son of experienced cricketer Barny Goodrum (45) was the highlight of this intriguing match at Hardingham on Saturday.

Aldborough were for three-quarters of the match outplayed by the hosts and responsibility rather than excuses was the tonic of the day. Batting first after being inserted, Aldborough started really well.

Openers Paul Reeve and Troy Allan put together a strong partnership and quickly the home side's heads went down. Reeve worked the ball around well and Allan punished any width aggressively. The pair put on 128 for the first wicket and the team were set up with 17 overs to go when Reeve (48) was undone by the bounce and chipped one up to cover.

At this point the dominance of the game ended. Fell was injured without facing a ball and had to retire. Briggs, despite every effort, could not get the ball away and Allan (86) holed out and in the process broke his bat. Bacon was undone by a shooter and Perry-Warnes was impetuous with overs still in hand.

Hardingham throughout this period bowled well with Fowle claiming four wickets and more importantly they fielded with great skill, especially Jason Goodrum in the extra cover position. The tail wagged for Aldborough and yet again Matt Saunders played with freedom to score a breezy 28no. Aldborough finished some 30 runs short of a match-winning total.

In reply Reeve bowling briskly with good lines, had Howes and Fowle in trouble and was rewarded with the wicket of the latter, caught superbly by Dingle at slip.

However, this was the only bright spot because for the next two hours Howes and Goodrum put on 150 to take Hardingham within touching distance. Lady Luck was not with Aldborough as Goodrum played and missed countless deliveries and edged four times through slip and gully with two of these going to hand but not sticking.

However luck was not to blame entirely. Howes batted superbly and gave no real chances and Aldborough bowled pretty dismally and fielded generally with little enthusiasm.

Dingle, usually reliable, was expensive and Perry Warnes was unthreatening and was responsible for 20 of the 41 extras with wides and no balls.

With a depleted side and no-one to turn to, Reeve had to try and put pressure on in the field and wait for Bacon and himself to try and win the game at the end.

However, Aldborough's fielders were not up to the cause with the exception of the oldest trio of Briggs, Reeve and Cook who showed the youngsters in the team the level of commitment needed.

Balls were chipped up, overthrows given away and there was general lethargy in attacking the ball. Hardingham were ruthless. Bacon held up an end and Reeve returned to immediately dismiss Goodrum and then Hearn.

Howes rode his luck a little then set about Bacon to take the home side to victory and securing his maiden ton in league cricket.

Back on The Green the second XI won with Mack (45), Goodley (115) and Ash (four wickets) starring whilst the first team struggled.

HAPPISBURGH first XI continued their impressive start to the season with an emphatic 10-wicket victory against Saham Toney A.

Winning the toss, skipper Wilson had no hesitation in asking Saham to bat on a wicket that offered good bounce and carry.

Regular wickets from the excellent Catchpole (5-32) restricted Saham's scoring only Rummer making any score, he fell on 51 and wickets for Jeary (3-19) and Howe (2-0) wrapped the innings up quickly in the 27th over.

Saham Toney's 105 all out was never going to be enough but the brutal onslaught from Happisburgh's young star Carl Allen was remarkable. His 71 not out in just 13 overs included five sixes and eight fours, a demonstration of power and placement to which Saham had no answer.

Assisted by the evergreen C Blanch (26 not out) Happisburgh romped to a 10-wicket victory in less than three hours of cricket. This positive start is an excellent sign for the remainder of the season.

WORSTEAD, on a glorious Sunday afternoon, entertained Caister in the first round of the Broke Cup hoping to progress against a strong visiting side.

Having won the toss the home side elected to bat first and the opening pair of Bob Eagleton (15) and Rob Eagleton (21) were restricted by accurate opening bowling and added 34 runs before Eagleton Senior was caught at mid off.

Tim Beeden (65) and Eagleton jnr then added a further 29 for the second wicket. Alex Browne (29) played a typically belligerent quick-fire innings providing the much needed impetus the home side needed.

The remaining home batsmen Jerry Bean (6), Stu Williamson (14), Kevin Hemp (1), Mark Yaxley (10) and Mark Cushion (1 not out) all threw the bat to see the total up to a creditable 195-8 from the allotted 40 overs.

The talented and experienced Caister opening pair of Richard Stokes (73 not out) and Rob Brown (88) launched a boundary-laden assault and added a rapid 131 runs in 24 overs for the first wicket before they were parted.

Only one further wicket fell before the visitors secured a comfortable eight-wicket win in the 38th over. The successful Worstead bowlers were Mark Cushion (1-29) and George Rossi (1-31).