Cricket: Rob's free-scoring display
Norfolk League, Division Three: Costessey 95 East Harling 212-8
Once again Barry Wells lost the toss. Harling were asked to bat on a notoriously unpredictable Long Water Lane wicket against ten-man Costessey.
As usual Stuart Hilton and man-of-the-match Rob Free looked to dominate the bowling, getting off to a brisk start with 27 from five overs before Hilton was caught behind off Horner.
Kevin Seymour then helped Free push the score to 58 before both he and Ross Pickerall were caught behind in Turner's seventh over.
Barry Wells followed soon after for four, and at 69-4, there was danger that the batsmen's uncertainty of the batting surface could lead to a low score.
However, a typically beligerent 17 from Adam Howe showed that runs could be scored quickly, pushing the score to 100-5 before becoming Smith's second wicket.
Matt Jubb, making a very welcome return, helped Free move the score to 126 before also falling to Smith, soon to be followed by David Fowler and Michael Pill, leaving the experienced Steve Fowler, 15 not out, to stay with Rob Free until the end.
Free finished on 96, an agonising four runs short of what would have been his second league hundred of the season.
The final total of 212-8 was more than looked likely at times during the innings. Pick of the Costessey bowlers was L Smith with 4-39.
In the past Costessey have tended to chance their arm on this wicket, but their reply began slowly and then slowed further as Stuart Ayton bowled five maidens in his first seven overs.
As a result Costessey limped to 31-3 from 15 overs, all three falling to Michael Pill, proving he can bowl straight with two bowled and an lbw.
Not to be outdone Ayton then took the next three to leave Costessey struggling at 61-6.
David Fowler was then given the opportunity to try out his slow bowling, taking one wicket with Stuart Hilton, and a run out, polishing off the innings. Costessey were 95 all out, giving Harling victory by a convincing 117 runs.
Bowling: Stuart Ayton 12-6-19-3, Michael Pill 7-2-19-3, Stuart Hilton 5-1-2 -1 and David Fowler 3-0-6-1.
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Weather for Diss
Thursday 02 September 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
