Seventh heaven for Neville

JOHN Neville turned in a terrific bowling display against Rocklands to give New Buckenham the chance for their first Norfolk League Division Five win of the season.

He took 7-23 to restrict Rocklands to 111 all out - a score that was one of many surprises in a game full of twists and turns. Until Neville struck Rocklands were chugging along comfortably.

Openers Pulsford and Harrison had put on 68 for the first wicket, despite committed fielding and tidy bowling.

But straight after the drinks break Harrison fell to Watling's catch off Neville - and that signalled a quite dramatic collapse. By the time last man Hunt was run out Rocklands had lost 10 wickets for just 43 runs.

Victory surely beckoned for New Buckenham.

If only it had been that straightforward. Skipper Terry Hardwick and Ashley Ling set off at a lick, scoring at five an over.

Even after their dismissals, Corey Connolly, with 21, kept New Buckenham in the driving seat - then the wheels started to come off. Wickets tumbled regularly and despite useful and timely runs from Neville the game could have gone either way. With nine wickets down New Buckenham needed 11 to win.

It was cool heads time and none was cooler than Nigel Frame, who patiently gathered runs before saving what remained of Buckenham fingernails with a mighty six to clinch a thrilling win.

Rocklands: Pulsford b Neville 37, Harrison c Watling b Neville 25, Upton c Connolly b Neville 0, Kruger c Ling b Neville 3, Hawkins c Hardwick b Neville 17, Miners c-b Neville 2Baker c Hardwick b Marshall 2, Pearce b Neville 0, Flatt b K Connolly 9, Miners not out 1, Hunt run out 0. Total 111.

New Buckenham: Hardwick c Kruger b Miners 14, Ling b Miners 6, C Connolly b Upton 21, Phillips lbw Miners 4, K Connolly c Upton b Flatt 12, Watling b Flatt 0, Frame not out 16, Neville b Upton 17, R Halfacree c-b Hunt 2, G Halfacree b Hunt 6, Marshall not out 1. Total 115-9.