Thetford A returned to Bradfield A for the first time in five years in Alliance Division Six but failed to record a second win of the season as they were comprehensively outplayed.

Thetford A returned to Bradfield A for the first time in five years in Alliance Division Six but failed to record a second win of the season as they were comprehensively outplayed.

Captain Steve Conroy opted to bat on a good surface, but an out-of-sorts Scott Richardson fell in the first over and persistent, accurate bowling from E Locke (2-27) and T Bush (1-41) restricted Thetford's scoring. Nicky Shepherd struggled to put bat to ball and edged to slip in the 13th over.

Andy Kerling (21) continued his good form and was more effective but when he and Simon Lewis were removed by N Bartholomew (2-28), Thetford were struggling at 53 for four after 25 overs.

Matt Lord (10) resisted for 16 overs, but was the next to fall, with the score on just 61, when acceleration was needed.

Steve Conroy (40) took a while to adjust to the bounce, but then began to put away loose balls effectively, aided by son Ryan who hit a fine 28 not out after Gavin Siriwardena top-edged a leg-side full toss.

The two Conroys took Thetford to a respectable score, but Steve missed a straight one, leaving Jason Peters with one ball to face. Having struck this through the covers, he and Ryan ran three, but Peters was run out attempting an unlikely fourth to give Bradfield an extra bowling point.

Thetford's total looked too small and, although Peters and Lewis Greyson bowled tightly, they lacked penetration and Bradfield's openers were rarely troubled, except for an edge behind that was missed by Richardson.

Siriwardena made the breakthrough in his first over, having J Amiss caught at mid-off but, like the other bowlers, subsequently bowled too many 'four balls' to relieve any pressure that had built up.

Glen James (1-26) removed S Holmes with a slower ball and Siriwardena (2-35) yorked S Kimber (56) in the 24th over.

By then, victory for Thetford was already unlikely so they were playing for points, but the bowling failed to threaten consistently enough.

Only when four runs were required did Greyson induce Keith Register (28) to slice to gully for his first scalp of the season. Locke (20no) and J Carter saw Bradfield home.

Thetford's bowlers need to improve in consistency to compete with teams like Bradfield and the batsmen need to combine patience with taking chances more effectively. Nevertheless, the side clearly has the ability to compete at this level.