Norden halt run of defeats by snatching a

NORDEN had their biggest crowd of the season on Sunday, but most were only there for the televised England match.

Those who concentrated on the cricket saw a topsy turvy match between Stags and Enfield which eventually ended in a tie.

Norden looked sure winners when they reduced the visitors to 70 for seven, but Enfield recovered to an all out 184.

The reply saw Stags tottering at 12 for four, but Dominic Humphreys, Dan Buckley and Greg Butterworth, aided by a late flurry from Jason Collin, meant Norden needed two to win off the last ball of the 50 overs.

The batsmen levelled the scores, but Butterworth could not get back for the winner, so it was nine points for each team (seven each for the tie, and two each for bowling out the opposition).

Enfield won the toss and decided to bat. They reached 29 with only one half chance having been offered, but Lee Crabtree then took a catch behind and Norden were on their way.

Visiting professional Pussegolla managed only four before going to a catch by Dominic Humphreys, and Adam Bracewell failed to score before slicing a shot into the hands of Jake Sandham.

Opener Greg Jones had punished the poorer deliveries and was on 52 out of 68 when he was trapped leg before by Dominic Humphreys whose impressive 10-over spell saw him take three for 18.

Cook failed to score, Wrigley managed two, Ali did likewise, and Enfield were 70 for seven. It promised to be an early tea, but the remaining batsmen gave Enfield hope.

Barker scored 29 off 53 deliveries, Fergus Bailey hit 40 off 67, and Sam Cook was unbeaten on 27. It all added up to what had seemed a most unlikely target for Norden to chase.

Greg Butterworth bowled his maximum 15 overs and took three for 51, while Jake Sandham captured three for 67.

The reply started badly for Norden, very badly.

Some were not happy with decisions, but the facts were that Josh Tolley was leg before for a duck, Lee Crabtree was bowled for a duck, Harvey Fitton was caught behind for a duck, and Jake Sandham charged Pussegolla, missed, and was stumped for two.

It needed a bit of something special to turn