FOR the first time in the club's history Mellis were able to field two sides on the same day and although several of the friendly side were playing for the first time it was considered to be a worthwhile achievement.

FOR the first time in the club's history Mellis were able to field two sides on the same day and although several of the friendly side were playing for the first time it was considered to be a worthwhile achievement.

The league team visited Brettenham who batted first and had reached 93 before a wicket fell.

B Barker, having survived a difficult chance when only 3, continued with an array of fine shots, hitting 11 sixes, before he was bowled for 135.

At 170 for one Mellis looked to be facing a massive total but spinners David Williamson (3-19) and Tim Courridge (3-70) at least ensured three bowling points and a target of 251 seemed perhaps achievable.

However, in gloomy light the first five Mellis batsmen were all bowled when appearing to be set for decent scores and it was 56-5. But Tim Courridge and Keith Arnold put on 105 in 16 overs before Arnold (32) was bowled.

Courridge achieved his first-ever century and went on to make a splendid 143 (eight sixes) until stumped. But Mellis were eight runs short.

In the friendly against Tivetshall, the relatively inexperienced Mellis side were well beaten but generally pleased with their bowling and fielding. Tivetshall totalled 204 after 40 overs.

Zak Seward and George Manning both did well on their debuts. The Mellis reply in rain got off to a bad start but Richard Morgan (30) and Jon Mann got a last-wicket stand for a total of 52.