Denver move clear of drop zone with victory

Denver moved themselves further clear of the Norfolk Alliance Division Four drop zone with a five-wicket victory over Mattishall.

Saturday’s win also keeps them within touching distance of the top three.

Mattishall won the toss and chose to bat first and despite losing three early wickets, the runs rate was respectable as they made it to 53-3 after 16 overs.

Visitng captain Keenan Stokes joined Trent Stoltz at the wicket and they set about attacking the Denver bowlers.

Stoltz punished anything loose with some wonderful ball striking as they put on over 100 for the fourth wicket.

Stokes fell for 37 as captain Dan Cornwell (1-42) tightened his bowling and Ant Walbridge bowled a brilliant spell of 1-39, removing the dangerous Stoltz for 83.

From there the runs dried up for Mattishall, with five wickets falling in the last three overs through Joe Manning (2-33), Connor Bateson (2-37) and Chris Rolfe (3-32) as the visitors were bowled out for 215.

In response Denver got off to a steady start as Trent Stoltz bowled a tight fast opening spell, taking an early wicket.

Dave Robinson and Dan Cornwell rebuilt the innings however Cornwell was run out for 27 taking a risky second run.

Two further wickets fell in three balls either side of drinks as Dave Robinson went for a well built 61 and when a further wicket fell Denver found themselves in trouble at 106-5.

Joe Manning and Marcus Glover steadied the ship, building a partnership and forcing the Mattishall bowlers to search for wickets.

The two Denver batsmen took advantage of any loose balls and ran brilliantly between the wickets as they pushed their side towards the target.

Glover passed 50, hitting three boundaries in the last over as Denver eased to their target with 3.1 overs remaining.

Glover finished unbeaten on 57 and Manning 48 not out.

Lawtronics Man of the Match: Marcus Glover and Joe Manning.