Great Melton (150-8) beat Eaton (149-4) by two wickets in a friendly at CNS school.Great Melton completed their warm-up matches with their annual visit to Eaton where, in keeping with previous encounters, there was a close finish.

Great Melton (150-8) beat Eaton (149-4) by two wickets in a friendly at CNS school.

Great Melton completed their warm-up matches with their annual visit to Eaton where, in keeping with previous encounters, there was a close finish.

Melton, chasing 150, had 15-year-old Ed Allen to thank for victory.

His unbeaten 51 was his first senior half-century and his partnership of 60 with veteran Steve Phoenix (25) saw Melton recover from 47-4 to reach three figures.

Luke Billington (11-2-26-4) then swung the game back Eaton's way with two wickets in successive balls but Neil Hubbard hit some lusty blows in his 12 not out while young Allen kept a cool head to see Melton to their third win in their three pre-season games.

Chris Elliott also scored 25 and the wily David Trett took 3-37 in 12 overs for Eaton.

Graham Brackebury (23), Graham Butcher (34) and Sam Butcher (68 not out) all contributed well to Eaton's 45-over total of 149-4 but, although wickets were not plentiful, Melton's bowlers maintained a good line and length.

Senior bowlers Neil Hubbard (8-1-20-0) and Scott Andrews (9-2-22-1) enjoyed good spells and Jake Mardell (10-1-47-0), Ed Allen (5-1-14-0), Nick Gristwood (5-0-13-1) and Josh Wilson (8-1-29-1) all impressed.

Mardell and Wilson maintaining their accuracy despite Butcher's attempts to hit out towards the end of the innings.

Another youngster, George Ducker, did well behind the stumps, there was a brilliant caught-and-bowled by Wilson and a slick run-out by Andrews so Melton have many reasons to be cheerful as they face their first league matches this weekend.