SUFFOLK are facing an uphill struggle in their Minor Counties Championship match against Norfolk after their hosts dominated day one at Horsford yesterday.

After bowling out Suffolk for 181, Norfolk replied with 107 without loss by stumps to put themselves in a commanding position at Manor Park.

There was no sign of the collapse to come as openers Tom Huggins and Hassan Adnan compiled a first-wicket stand worth 76 spanning 24 overs.

However, once Huggins fell for 35 containing six fours when he slashed a delivery to Trevor Ward in the slips, Suffolk never regained the ascendancy.

Martyn Cull was out four overs later without scoring, and then Adnan was dismissed in the very next over after top-scoring with 37. He was caught down the leg side by wicket-keeper Stephen Gray off debutant Kieron Bunting, the son of Stewart Bunting and nephew of Rodney Bunting, who are both ex-Norfolk players.

Ben France and skipper Justin Bishop took the score to 121 before Bishop became the first of off spinner Chris Brown’s five victims in the 40th over of the innings - and just two balls later wicket-keeper Chris Warn was trapped lbw by the same bowler.

France was then caught in the slips before Brown snared Archie Gravell leg before.

One run later Tom Rash was caught at leg slip and then Ward pulled off a good catch at short cover to remove James Finch.

Phil Edwards was last man out the very next ball after striking a six off slow left armer George Walker to conclude a disappointing batting display after Suffolk had won the toss and chosen to bat.

Norfolk’s openers had no such troubles when they batted. Spelman and Matthew Warnes were still together at the close after facing 34 overs and posting a century stand.

Spelman’s 45 occupied 109 balls and included five fours while Warnes was on 41 not out made from 101 deliveries and has so far struck four boundaries.

Suffolk will have to perform much better when play resumes today if they are to stay in the match and simultaneously maintain a realistic chance of winning the Eastern Division title this season.

MANOR PARK SCORECARD

SUFFOLK

First innings: T Huggins c Ward b Spelman 35, H Adnan c Gray b Bunting 37, M Cull c Lambert b Spelman 0, B France c Caswell b Brown 21, J Bishop b Brown 22, C Warn lbw b Brown 0, A Gravell lbw b Brown 9, J Finch c Ward b Walker 13, T Rash c Walker b Brown 4, P Edwards c Caswell b Walker 23, M Hunn not out 1. Extras 16. Total (off 80.5 overs) 181.

Fall: 1-76, 2-82, 3-84, 4-121, 5-121, 6-137, 7-138, 8-148, 9-162, 10-181.

Bowling: Michael Warnes 14-2-41-0; Bunting 10-0-36-1; Spelman 10-3-29-2; Brown 24-8-31-5; Walker 20.5-9-36-2.

NORFOLK

First innings: J Spelman not out 45, Matthew Warnes not out 41, Extras 21. Total (for 0 wkt, off 34 overs) 107.

Bowling: Edwards 7-3-14-0; Hunn 5-1-18-0; Bishop 6-1-26-0; France 5-1-19-0; Finch 6-1-10-0; Huggins 5-0-11-0.

Norfolk 4pts, Suffolk 1pt.