ELLINGHAM edged an exciting encounter with Worstead in their first Burgess Shield Division Two match of the season. In hot and sunny conditions Ellingham won an important toss and elected to field.

ELLINGHAM edged an exciting encounter with Worstead in their first Burgess Shield Division Two match of the season.

In hot and sunny conditions Ellingham won an important toss and elected to field.

Young Brendan Ledeboer took three early wickets to give Ellingham the early ascendancy, bowling a full length wicket to wicket he got just rewards for some fine swing bowling (3-9).

He was backed up by Standley (1-18). Worstead were teetering on 14-4 in the sixth over.

This was followed by a 64-run partnership between Browne (49) and Toll (19) who, with some fortune, played well as conditions eased.

However, Dodd (4-37) removed Browne with a fine return catch and Ellingham began to regularly pick up wickets again.

Smith, the captain (2-29), led by example and Ellingham dismissed Worstead for 121 in the 29th over.

In reply, Ellingham got off to a solid start with Abel (16) picking up from last season before three quick wicket saw them fall to 35-3.

An important fourth-wicket stand of 36 between the returning Dean Oxborough (13) and Kruger (26) seemed to settle nerves.

Again Worstead fought back Hemp took three wickets to put Ellingham in trouble at 89-8.

He was well supported by Bullimore (1-21), Yaxley (1-28) and Cushion (2-35).

What followed was an unbroken stand of 34 between Smith (14 not out) and the belligerent Dodd (18 not out) to see Ellingham home.

Ellingham travel to Fincham and Stradsett in the first round of the cup next Sunday.