Walsham bowled out for low score

It was a case of the bowlers being let down by the batsmen as Walsham-le-Willows (112) lost their Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship Division Three encounter to Long Melford (113-9) by one wicket.

Visiting Melford won what proved to be a good toss and inserted Walsham on what looked a good, if slightly green, pitch.

The innings could not have started better for Walsham as captain Liam Bryant hit the first three balls from Chris Sturgeon to the boundary for four.

However. things soon took a turn for the worse for Walsham as a late decision to leave by the skipper resulted in a very thin nick behind to be caught for just 12 from the last ball of the first over.

Sturgeon claimed Bryant’s wicket and he went on to take a remarkable 9-28.

Stephen Owston departed for a single, caught by Thomas Bigg off Sturgeon’s bowling and Ned Campbell soon followed for 10, having also been bowled by Sturgeon.

Only Oli Jackson (26) was able to provide any real resistance as Ben George (1), and Ali Waugh (5) both departed to Sturgeon.

Neil Baker (10) tried his best to build an innings where others had not been able to do so.

Ash Forbes also started nicely and reached a calmly-made 11 before falling to Sturgeon.

The in-form bowler also removed Joe Bryant caught and bowled, while Melford’s James French also nipped in after a mighty six from Mark Rothon to pick up Connor Daly and end another feeble batting effort from Walsham.

To the credit of the home side, they bowled well in pursuit of victory, with Bryant taking a five-for and Forbes recording 3-45.

But ultimately it was Melford who managed to squeeze over the winning line with one wicket to spare.

l Walsham’s Sunday first team (244-5) won a close game at home to Edwardstone (240-8) by five wickets with Joe Scarce making another century and Ben George claiming a five-for.