Kapila’s Fifty not Enough as Happisburgh Chase 201 to Win

GREAT MELTON B (7 points) lost to HAPPISBURGH (25 points) by 6 wickets at Town Close in the Norfolk League Division 2

Despite a half century from Kapila Liyanapathirana, 34 from Fawad Kaiser and some useful contributions from other batsmen, Melton B's total of 201-9, never looked to be quite enough and so it proved.  On a hot day and with a fast outfield and a shortage of regular bowlers, Melton struggled to contain visitors Happisburgh and, with opener Sturgess scoring 74, Happisburgh cruised to victory with 8 overs to spare.

After Tim Hales (17) and Eusha Fawad (13) had given Melton a steady start with 42 for the first wicket off 17 overs, Fawad Kaiser upped he tempo with 2 sixes and 4 fours in his 34.  Simon Brett (10), in his first game since returning from uni, and Toby Wyatt (7) came and went before Kapila again demonstrated the power of his hitting.  His 50 included 12 scoring shots – 4 sixes, 6 fours and only 2 singles!  Liam Hughes (15) and Rob Smith (13) added a few runs down the order and Connor Stearman finished unbeaten on 9 as Melton were dismissed in the final over for 201.  Opening bowlers M.Woolston (11-2-24-2) and Wilson (12-3-27-1) kept things tight for the visitors but C.Allen, although he conceded 86 runs in his 11 overs, picked up 4 wickets.

Nav Sharma and Gary Coulson opened for Melton but Sturgess and Raven moved fairly smoothly to 87 in just 17 overs before the latter was dismissed for 37, caught by Coulson off Rob Smith who proved to be the most economical of the Melton bowlers with figures of 6-2-15-1.  Sturgess was joined by Woolston (34)  and, by the time the returning Sharma had bowled Sturgess for a well-made 74, the score was 144-2 off 24 overs.  With 21 overs to score 58 runs and 8 wickets remaining it only required sensible batting by Happisburgh.  Skipper Liam Hughes (9-1-47-2) bagged a couple of wickets to give Melton a 2nd bowling point to go with their maximum batting points, but the visitors won the game in the 38th over with 6 wickets still standing and Breeze 19 not out.

Great Melton B

T.Hales c. b.Ames 17, E.Fawad b.Sturgess 13, F.Kaiser c.Carter b.Wilson 34, S.Brett c. b. Allen 10, T.Wyatt c. & b.Allen 7, K.Liyanapathirana c. b.Woolston 50, L.Hughes b.Allen 15, N.Sharma c. b.Woolston 0, C.Stearman Not Out 9, R.Smith c. b.Allen 13, G.Coulson Not Out 2, Extras 31. TOTAL (9 wickets) 201 (Woolston 11-2-24-2, Wilson 12-3-27-1, Sturgess 6-2-20-0, Ames 5-0-31-0, Allen 11-0-86-4)

Happisburgh

Sturgess b.Sharma 74, R.Raven c.Coulson b.Smith 37, M.Woolston c.Sharma b.Hughes 34, R.Breeze Not Out 19, Carter c. b.Hughes, Allen Not Out 1, Extras 28.  TOTAL (4 wickets) 202 (N.Sharma 12-1-52-1, G.Coulson 7-1-43-0, R.Smith 6-2-15-1, C.Stearman 3-0-33-0, L.Hughes 9-1-47-2, T.Wyatt 0.2-0-2-0)