INDOOR CRICKET: Although three games were scheduled, only two were actually played in the final round of fixtures before the Gainsborough Indoor Cricket League takes a two-week break.

INDOOR CRICKET

ALTHOUGH three games were scheduled, only two were actually played in the final round of fixtures before the Gainsborough Indoor Cricket League takes a two-week break.

Capel eventually overcame a strong challenge from Browns B in the first round of the Knockout Cup, while Felixstowe Corinthians I got home fairly comfortably against Hadleigh.

Martlesham received a walkover into the second round by virtue of an administrative foul-up over the time of the game.

Browns B batted first against a Capel bowling attack, still missing Steve Bumphrey, and which seemed to have lost its radar.

A total of 37 runs were conceded in wides and no balls which helped the Browns' score considerably.

David Adams (22) and Roger White had an opening stand of 82 that stretched into the tenth over of the innings before White retired.

There followed a period of total mayhem when four wickets fell for five runs in six balls with the dismissals of Adams, Phil Hamblin, Neal Manning and Michael Hilton – the last trio for ducks.

Roger White (31no) joined his father Martin (6 no) at the fall of the fourth wicket and added a further 13 to take the final Browns' score to 98 for 4.

Less cavalier batting would have given Browns a score well in excess of 100 and a possible upset would have been on the cards.

The Browns' attack was much more frugal in terms of wides and no balls when Capel batted.

Adam Kettle and John Howe put on 50 before Kettle was out for 19. Howe batted on until the score had reached 63 when he retired to watch Capel fall apart in the same way as Browns had done, although not as dramatically.

Craig Lawton failed to trouble the scorers and Mark Creasey (3) both fell at 63; Ken Madder (4) left at 71, but Gary Kettle (14no) and the returning John Howe (38no) saw Capel home by two wickets with three balls to spare.

Hadleigh won the toss and asked Felixstowe Corinthians I to bat.

Ian Connell and Dave Smith (9) had an opening stand of 32 and Andy Harrison (11) helped Connell to add a further 28 before giving a return catch to Mike Gilderson.

Julian Gibbs (5) and Ben Connell (0) both went at 73, but Mark Jones (12no), making his first appearance for Corinthians, joined Ian Connell – out off the last ball of the innings for 27 – in taking the final score at 85 for 5.

David Bird finished with two wickets for 17 and Simon Manthorpe (2-21) took the bowling honours for Hadleigh.

Corinthians struck an early blow with the dismissal of David Mann (12) in the third over and again at 25 two overs later when 'Floss' Tampion (5) for once failed, both wickets falling to Andy Harrison at a cost of 5 runs.

Mike Gilderson threatened to take command but lost Ian Piddington (1) at 34 while he himself got to 16 before falling to Ian Connell with the score on 44.

David Bird (5) and Simon Manthorpe (6no) saw Hadleigh through to the last over, but the final tally of 63 for 5 left Hadleigh 22 runs short.

Martlesham claimed victory over BTR as the latter had not arrived by 11.45am – 15 minutes after the scheduled start.

Despite the best efforts of Julian Fiddaman who had managed to contact some of his players, the match was awarded to Martlesham at 11.55am.

Knockout Cup, first round results: Browns B: 98 for 4 (R J White 31 no, Adams 22) lost to Capel: 99 for 4 (Howe 38 no, R.J White 2-17) by 2 wickets. (Capel will play the winners of Copdock/OI's v Felixstowe Corinthians II).

Felixstowe Corinthians I: 85 for 5 (I Connell 27, Bird 2-17, Manthorpe 2-21) beat Hadleigh: 63 for 5 (Harrison 2-6) by 22 runs. (Felixstowe Corinthians I will play the winners of Castle CC v Mallards).

Martlesham won by default over BTR (Martlesham will play Achilles in round 2).