Clean sweep for Melton

IT was a great weekend for Great Melton, enjoying a clean sweep as all four of their teams picked up league victories.

Great Melton secured a crucial victory in their relegation fixture with Dereham as a marvellous century from Martin Bunn saw them to a comfortable 99 run victory and maximum points.

Skipper Lee Whiddett was boosted before the game with the news that his side was bolstered by the addition of Bunn, Paul Movel and Alex Cooper. He did however lose the toss and Melton were put into bat on a pitch damp from overnight rain.

It looked a good toss to win but after Tony Alborough (16) went relatively cheaply, Martin Bunn and Matt Clarke (39) put on over 100 runs in good time to put Melton in control at 120-1 from 24 overs.

It was a position they rarely looked like throwing away as Bunn imperiously strode to his century.

He was finally out in the 35th over for 109, including four sixes and 16 fours. Lee Whiddett hit five fours in a breezy 33 which allowed Melton to post an imposing 230-8.

Dereham appeared intent on giving their young players an opportunity and this allowed Melton to keep things very tight early on in their reply as Chris Wardale (6-1-10-2) and Jack McCurley (6.3-2-11-1) bowled accurate spells. Paul Movel (3-19) produced his usual array of unorthodox deliveries to befuddle the Dereham middle and Josh Wilson (2-49) served up some buffet deliveries but picked up a couple of wickets of his own.

Lee Whiddett (1-7) grabbed the wicket of opposing skipper Andy Lawrence, caught well on the fence by Chris Wardale who took three catches, whilst Whiddett himself also snaffled two. McCurley returned to trap Jamie Howe lbw to wrap up a convincing win.

With only four games left this victory has given Melton breathing space and one more victory is likely to be enough to keep them in Boyle Division One next season.