A characteristically belligerent 70 from Simon Lewis was not enough to earn Thetford A a second victory of the season as they chased a tough target of 204 by Garboldisham A.

A characteristically belligerent 70 from Simon Lewis was not enough to earn Thetford A a second victory of the season as they chased a tough target of 204 by Garboldisham A.

Thetford started well, with David Anderson (3-31) and Lewis Greyson bowling tightly and Greyson (2-56) finally taking the wickets his bowling has deserved.

Garboldisham then dug in, but Marcus Lilley, 14, and Gavin Siriwardena kept up the pressure, taking a wicket each. Benny Goodman and H Youngson combined resistance and aggression, as well as riding their luck.

Youngson (18) chipped an easy return catch to Siriwardena (2-44) but Goodman continued with R Freake in support to put on 47 for the eighth wicket, before Lilley (2-56) capped a fine debut, bowling Freake.

Goodman ended up on 75no and A Smith (10). For the last three wickets to put on 121 was very impressive from the visitors, but disa-ppointing for Thetford to see a winning chance slip away.

In reply, Keith Greyson taking nine from the first over, but the scoring rate slowed and Siriwardena edged a ball that popped up from a good length to slip.

Greyson, Andy Kerling and Adam Sparkes followed, the latter out-thought after four excellent balls from A Freake (2-45). Thetford were then in dire straits at 30-4.

Steve and Ryan Conroy put on 18 runs before Ryan was caught. Lewis hit out, eventually lbw for 70 to Ben Asker, but he had put on 96 with Conroy. Asker (2-20) produced another beauty to bowl Mark Fowler for a duck but Conroy (29no) started to attack, aided by Anderson with an 11-ball cameo for 13.

Despite hefty boundaries and Lewis Greyson's valiant efforts, Thetford finished one run short of a third batting point and nine short of a 90 per cent losing draw.

Thetford have a chance for immediate revenge on Garboldisham in the return fixture this week.