Mason: hero or villain? Greshams draw in close game.
The Match started with ominous overtones of previous West Norfolk batting collapses with Hammond edging one in the slips to a player who could not catch a bus. Holden and Everall (Senior) recovered from the early loss to put on a fifty partnership. Everall, in true Boycott fashion ran Thorne out in order to scratch his way to 51. Mason, again contributed tremendously without even handling willow, leather, or even his opening his mouth, but through the fortuitous invitation to Richard Datnan to debut for West Norfolk. Datnan (60*) and Harrison (55*) spanked an entertaining 123 partnership for WNCC to declare 242 for 5.
The school thought Christmas had come earlier when Bombardier Thorne took the leather in hand and snapped up the middle order with some class grenades. Young Frankie Sutton, aged 14, with bright prospects of 5 years in the 1st XI, slapped Mason over his head for four before capitulating to one that nipped back between bat and pad to be stumped by Holden (ironic? Not only did Frankie’s dad drop out of the fixture to play for Sheringham, but he also warned his eldest son not to take his foot out of the crease – so, as Sheringham head for relegation, that’s seriously bad judgement on both accounts!).
Mason turned from hero to villain confidently stepping to the plate for the last over – one wicket required everyone round the bat. The Gresham’s no11 took a liking to one pie and lobbed it to midwicket for an elementary catch to his guest Mr Datnan who melted under the pressure.
An enjoyable draw with some credibility reinstated at the school.
