Last-ball drama as Denver are beaten in Norfolk Alliance

There was last-ball drama as Denver were beaten at the death in Division Five of the Norfolk Alliance on Saturday.

A six off the last ball condemned Denver to defeat in one of the only games to beat the wet weather at the weekend.

After both captains had agreed on a 25-over-a-side game, James Harper got Denver off to a flying start with the bat.

Harper smashed 34 from 20 balls but chased one ball too many which ultimately cost him his wicket.

Tom Gilbert struggled to get going but stayed around as he made 29 in a partnership of 75 with Dan Cornwell.

A couple of quick wickets fell but the in-form Joe Manning joined Cornwell at the crease and they set about pushing the Denver total on in the last few overs.

The runs flowed nicely as Cornwell made his way to 72 from 66 balls and Manning 28 from 23.

James Alcock was the pick of the Melton bowlers, going for 23 in his five overs and only conceding six from the final over of the innings as Denver finished their innings on 177-3.

In reply, the home side got off to a steady start, losing an early wicket but Lee Whiddett rode his luck as he made 35.

However, when he was bowled by Chris Rolfe (2-14) from the penultimate ball of his spell, Denver had control of the game with Melton still needing 123 from the last 16 overs.

Martyn Cook made a blistering 42 from 27 balls and Sam Mann made a steady half-century, rotating the strike nicely and putting any bad balls away.

Just as the home side looked like they were cruising to victory, Joe Manning claimed the big wicket of Cook, and Max Merritt removed Mann and suddenly Denver looked in charge again.

Denver thought they had another wicket but Ryan Hayward survived a caught-behind appeal and he helped move Melton toward their target.

A run-out in the penultimate over from young Kieron Murfitt left the hosts needing six from the final over and that was reduced to two from the final ball as Merritt bowled superbly.

However, it was Hayward who would have the last word, smashing the ball high over the boundary to give Melton a dramatic win by five wickets.

Lawtronics Man of the Match: Dan Cornwell and Chris Rolfe.

Tomorrow, Denver hosts Ashmanhaugh and Barton Wanderers 2nds.