Great Melton's beer festival and the official opening of the new nets occupied everyone's attention but, for Caitlin Ellis, last Saturday will remain long in the memory for a different reason.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: Chairman Steve Phoenix with Jenni Jordan, ECB’s Regional Club & Facilities Manager, & Keir Hounsome, Chairman of the Norfolk Cricket BoardChairman Steve Phoenix with Jenni Jordan, ECB’s Regional Club & Facilities Manager, & Keir Hounsome, Chairman of the Norfolk Cricket Board (Image: Archant)

Playing for the fourth team against Hethersett & Tas Valley C, the 16-year-old recorded remarkable figures of 5-0-15-7, her best by a long way and the best-ever return for a female bowler in Melton's history.

Caitlin's seven-wicket haul saw Melton bowl out Tas for 94, and included three catches by skipper Steve Phoenix and two by Duncan Greenslade who earlier were the heroes with the bat.

Greenslade recorded his maiden half-century and his 67, together with the captain's 39, allowed Melton to reach 155 all out. Leo Desalis (10-3-18-2), Clive Rennie (6-3-10-0) and Gary Coulson (8-0-22-0) then strangled the home side's response before Caitlin took over.

It was a different story for the firsts at home to fellow strugglers Saham Toney. It was hoped that Melton could build on their previous good performance at Mattishall and gain their first win of the season but it wasn't to be as the batting fell apart again. Melton were bowled out for 158, Matt Clarke (36) and Richard Waddell (29) top scoring just as they'd done the previous week.

It was never likely to be enough at Melton Park and the visitors scored 162-3 to win in the 38th over although spinners Joe Bickel (9-3-19-1) and Aaron Garner (6-2-12-0) bowled well for Melton.

The As made the long trip to Lowestoft and returned home with a convincing 114-run win. Jason Whiddett (55), Joey Greenslade (31), Sam Mann (39), Marcus Mawby (27) and James Robb (32 not out) all made good contributions as Melton totalled 232-9 before dismissing Lowestoft A for 118, Rob Sims taking 5-9 in nine overs on his return to his old club and James Robb 3-28.

B team skipper Matt Rushton omitted himself from the team that took on East Harling at Town Close but, with Phil Bugg at the helm, the team bowled out Harling for just 96 before reaching their target for the loss of three wickets. Saxon Earley, 15, took 4-35 and scored 36 not out to take the man-of-the-match honours.

The U11s beat Sprowston, the U13s defeated Garboldisham and the U15s won at Bradenham to make it six wins out of seven. Charlie Green, with 23 not out and 2-8, was the star performer for the U15s but skipper Josh Wright and James Bridges both retired on 31 as Bradenham were beaten by 38 runs. It means the U15s progress to the quarter-final of the Andy Seeley competition having won all their group matches. Corey Rushton (37 not out), Ben Johnson (24) and James Cooper (2-0-5-3) were the stand-out performers for the U13s.

Great Melton Cricket Club's beer festival weekend began on Friday evening with patron Sir Edward Evans-Lombe cutting the ribbon to officially open the new net practice facility.

It has been installed following grants from the ECB, the Norfolk Community Foundation Saracen's Fund, Aviva Community Fund and the Norwich Organ Donors' Committee plus personal donations and the club's own fundraising.

That continued on Saturday night with an evening of music provided by the Cream Horns, food and beer. The weekend was completed by a sixes tournament on the Sunday in which eight team competed. It was won by Nuddy's Six, captained by Horsford's Tom Nudd, who defeated Bunwell in the final. The plate winners were 'Chalky's Six' made up of last year's Great Melton U19 side.