Wood and Allum restore Melton to winning ways.

A second wicket partnership of 159 between Richard   Wood and Dave Allum steered Great Melton to a 7 wicket victory over a very competitive Downham “A” side at Melton Park. 

Earlier Jack Gould scored 106 for Downham in his   side's total of 232 for 7; his innings was pretty much a  lone hand but he received some good late order  support from Gromett, who made 40 batting at 7.   Melton's bowlers still lack discipline and conceded  too many extras that handed early innings impetus to the visitors although Richard Waddell caused problems for the Downham batsman with his extra pace and bounce to take 2 for 37.  Excellent end of innings bowling from Daryl Godbold (2 for 27) and Chris Greenslade (2 for 43) kept Downham to a total that was probably 20 runs shy of what they had looked like posting;  Greenslade in particular bowled at a lively pace to match his lively performance in the field.

In reply Melton lost Greenslade (1) early as he feathered a rising delivery from Barnard and was caught at the wicket.   Allum looked scratchy at the start of his innings but to his great credit stood firm and after a while at the crease began to find the middle of the bat and with Wood, who rarely looks anything other than comfortable and assured when batting at Melton Park, they built a partnership that whilst for the most part was below the run rate required it did ensure that wickets were in hand for Melton to up the rate in the final 10 overs or so.  Wood (83) gave the visitors hope of getting a draw from the game when caught well at square leg, but Martyn Cook (28) who was elevated up the order scored freely and with Allum (92 not out), runs came quickly.  Although Cook was dismissed late on, Richard Waddell saw Melton past the total with 3 powerfully struck boundaries.

The win sees Melton move up one place in the Division 2 table, with a game in hand over some other clubs.

Downham “A” (6 points)

J Coe lbw b Waddell 7, A Nicol ct Howard b Gristwood 4, J Gould not out 106, A Corbett b Waddell 1, P Barnard lbw b Greenslade 9, C Sharp c & b Greenslade 23, N Gromett lbw b Godbold 40, C Williams-Ward lbw b Godbold 1, J Porter not out 10. Extras 31. Total 232 for 7. (R Waddell 8-1-37-2, N Gristwood 9-0-55-1, M Scott 2-0-15-0, J Howard 12-0-47-0, C Greenslade 9-1-43-2, D Godbold 6-0-27-2)

Great Melton (23 points)

R Wood ct Corbett b Chauhan 83, C Greenslade ct Sharp b Barnard 1, D Allum not out 92, M Cook stumped b Sharp 28, R Waddell not out 12. Extras 19. Total 235 for 3 ( Barnard 12-3-25-1, Sexton 6-0-39-0, Gould 8-0-44-0, Williams-Ward 3-0-23-0, Chauhan 10.5-0-62-1, Corbett 3-0-21-0, Sharp 2-0-18-1)