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Fry roasts Norfolk's challenge

Surrey Board XI (264-8) bt Norfolk (241-6) by 23 runs

The depth to the Surrey Cricket Board's batting was crucial. It would seem in retrospect that the 21 runs plundered off Mark Thomas by the Board's seventh-wicket pair, Mark Bainbridge and Chris Bullen, tipped the scales.

However, Surrey owed a tremendous debt to their opening batsman, John Fry, whose well-paced 90, made off 157 balls with seven fours and a six, occupied all but six overs. If his claim to the man of the match award was in dispute, it was settled by his contribution in the running out of Norfolk's Carl Amos.

Fry's dismissal was the cue for Bainbridge and Bullen to run amok. They hit nine fours in the last five overs, from which 59 runs accrued. The pick of Norfolk's pace bowlers, among them captain, Paul Newman, formerly of Derbyshire, was Wendell Coppin. Carl Rogers' off-spinners deserved more than just five overs.

Norfolk battled gallantly against an oppressive target. Amos and Rogers put on 108 for the first wicket from 28 overs but acceleration was needed and wickets began to tumble.

David Thomas kept Norfolk alive with an unbeaten 70. Bainbridge and Bullen were Surrey's most economical bowlers.