THE Fourth Grey Power Test Match took place at the Norton Warnes Ground when the Gentlemen of Cromer once again entertained Norwich Cricketers in Retirement.

THE Fourth Grey Power Test Match took place at the Norton Warnes Ground when the Gentlemen of Cromer once again entertained Norwich Cricketers in Retirement.

As has become customary, Cromer batted first because a number of their team were late in arriving. S

ome of the regular members were unavailable which meant drafting in new talent. Matt Copeman was a real find with a score of 18 plus a nimble display behind the stumps taking two catches and a stumping.

The tail was bolstered by Emile Bretenbach at number nine, drilling a quick 22 which brought the score to 178 less 48 for the six wickets lost, giving a total of 130.

The final figure might have been more but for the visitors managing to smuggle an extra three players onto the field! Their most successful bowler was evergreen Eric Howes with 2 for 11.

When the Norwich team batted they lost a number of early wickets with three batsmen finishing in negative equity which severely dented their scoring rate.

However as the light faded the Cromer bowlers had difficulty locating the position of the three pieces of wood at the batsman's end which resulted in 33 balls out of the reach of the batsmen.

At the same time Cromer lost one of their fielders who was discovered selling programmes on the pier!

Guest player Dean Critchfield with 27 together with his father Rick and captain Chris Edwards, both with 12, brought about an exciting finish with the score close to that of Cromer's.

After a recount it was concluded that Cromer won by 10 runs but Norwich are adamant that they were handicapped by being an average age of at least 10 years greater, but then they did have 14 fielders.

An enjoyable evening was completed with some excellent refreshments.