O 60's v Essex 15 June 2010
60 Spitfire - Norfolk v EssexHalstead – June 15th 2010
Norfolk needed to win against the unbeaten League Leaders and did so in emphatic style winning by 42 runs at Halstead. Unfortunately, losing a wicket off the penultimate ball of the innings cost them a point – donated to Essex, which keeps them in front.
Norfolk inserted, soon lost Rice, woefully out of form, but a stand of 155 in 26 overs by Martin Pearse and Ian Battelley (61) put the visitors in command. Ritchie Davies (35) donated a little cameo, as Pearse reached his century in the 32nd over. A change of bowling meant that runs were more difficult to come by and a rash of wickets saw Norfolk end up on 264-8, with Pearse unfortunately falling one ball from the end for a superb 131 with 15 fours and no sixes!
Essex needed all their big guns to fire, but Ron Ashdown and Evan Tuck were in control and Newman departed to a skier, well caught by Saunders. Peter Brown, back to his best, accounted for Stuck (20) (the scourge of Norfolk 2nds!) and a catch in the deep by Pearse saw Wright (69), their only hope, disappear.
Ritchie Davies’ slow variety of bowling suited the conditions and Essex seemed to capitulate, only in the last over, hitting a six. A great victory.