Around the cricket clubs

TOPCROFT earned a valuable 22 points with victory at Sheringham in the Norfolk Cricket Alliance Division One.

Topcroft, sponsored by Cunningham's Auto of Hempnall, won the toss and skipper Chris Hancock put Sheringham into bat and had them all out for 154 in the 47th over.

Following disciplined opening overs from Marshall and Goodfellow, the latter made the early breakthrough. Topcroft's openers continued to bowl well without success as numerous edges failed to find fielders. This was made worse when Topcroft failed to capitalise on two opportunities in the next over. The frustration was finally ended when Spillent was caught by David Reeder off Chris Hancock for 29.

The decision to take pace off the ball proved to be a good one, as David Reeder took two quick wickets following the drinks interval. This left the innings finely balanced at 100-4. Ndhlovu then picked up the key wicket of Wright (43) taking a good catch off his own bowling. Ndhlovu finished with 3-44 off 11 overs. Reeder finished with 4-20 from 12.

Topcroft began the run chase positively, with Hancock and Matthew Goodfellow capitalising on loose deliveries. Having taken the score to 75-0 with two excellent cover drives for four, Goodfellow was the first man out for 26. Hancock soon followed for 29. With the slow bowlers on, the runs began to dry up. James Goodfellow was given out lbw without scoring as Topcroft's run chase continued to falter.

Ben Davey (4) was unluckily stumped when the ball cannoned of the wicket-keeper's pads back onto the stumps. Razzaq became King's fourth victim. This left Topcroft stumbling on 117-5.

The stars with the ball for Topcroft then became stars with the bat as Ndhlovu and Reeder saw Topcroft home with eight overs to spare. Ndhlovu played a fine innings to finish on 46 not out. Reeder (13 not out) used his experience to calmly see the side over the finish line.

Bungay (18pts) drew with Halvergate (4) in Alliance Four.

Bungay just fell short of a victory in a frustrating afternoon at the Maltings Meadow.

Bungay captain David Fuller was asked to bat on a flat-looking home pitch. Matt Watts and Tom York immediately set upon the visiting bowlers with York typically aggressive. The pair added 107 in just 18 overs before York was caught for a fine 75.

Will Lewis continued the momentum and as 173 had come off the first 30 overs, Bungay looked to set a demanding target. The second-wicket stand of 88 was ended when Watts was out for a well made 64, Davies blasted a rapid 13 and when Lewis fell in the 37th over two runs short of a deserved half-century Bungay were 217-4.

Ramm joined Fuller and Fuller was the main aggressor as they added 50 runs in four overs before the declaration in the 42nd at 267-4.

With Fuller off the field to attend to a first aid emergency, A James claimed the crucial wicket of Clarke in the sixth over and York also removed Brister.

The reply began to grind to a halt and was just 70-5 with 32 overs used up.

Spinner Matthew Long changed things with three wickets in an inspired spell of 3-14 however overs ran out and Halvergate rescued the draw on 112-8.

Topcroft A (5pts) lost to Lowestoft A (25) by 196 runs in Alliance Six in a game sponsored by Andrew Collison, Golf Professional.

Lowestoft A batted first, posting a formidable 297-9, with teenagers Charlie Mattocks, Mitchell Baldwin and James Nobbs all taking a wicket apiece. The real star of the show for 10-man Topcroft was 14-year-old Teddy Mattocks who took six wickets for 59, including opener Rice for 134. Mattocks stunned the lower middle order with four wickets in one over to end the Lowestoft innings. Despite being on the receiving end of some aggressive stroke-play, Topcroft's young attack stuck to their task well and can be pleased with their efforts against a number of players of Alliance Premier Division pedigree.

In reply, Topcroft were never in the game, although Baldwin frustrated the visitors for an amazing 18 overs. Brief cameos from Jack Baldwin and Ian Holmes both (17) and top scorer Teddy Mattocks (19) delayed the inevitable, as Topcroft eventually finished on 101 all out.

Beccles A 224 (15pts) drew with Swardeston/CEYMS 213-9 (14) in Norfolk Alliance Division Six

Asked to bat first, the Beccles opening pair of T Hunter and P Thorpe got their team off to a great start. Scoring at four an over it was Hunter who took the early initiative. Puxley and Thorpe continued to score freely on a very good wicket. The score had risen to 88 in the 21st over when Thorpe was out for a well constructed 25. Warnes, still smarting from being dropped from the first team, immediately set about proving the selectors wrong. Puxley picked out the only fielder in the deep in the 27th over and with the score at 110 departed for a solid 31.

Alex Wright, 15, produced an innings of high class. With Wrights caressing of the ball and Warnes's bludgeoning the score continued to rise. In the 38th over Warnes was clean bowled for 36 and Wright fell just short of his half-century for an excellent 45. With eight overs remaining the score had reached 193.

Beccles were all out for 224 in the 43rd over with Clarke scoring a rapid 25.

Trying to defend this total was never going to be easy with a limited bowling attack. Hunter found the breakthrough with a superb pick up and a direct hit.

Snelling continually rode his luck with aerial cut shots and with the score at 103-1 in the 21st over, Swardeston looked well set for victory.

Hunter then tied up one end and an inspirational change at the other saw Liam Thorpe take his first senior wicket thanks to a good catch by captain Clarke. Young K Bale showed great potential with some spin bowling but with the score at 183-3 with nine overs remaining Beccles still had their backs up against the wall.

Smith produced some fantastic out-fielding and with Warnes inspirational behind the stumps the whole team started to put the squeeze on Swardeston.

When Hunter finished his very good spell of bowling it was left to Wright and Buck to finish the innings. With the help of a good catch from P Thorpe in the deep and a run out from Puxley wickets started to fall at last. With three overs remaining, 17 runs were required and three wickets left. Beccles were unlucky not to claim victory, falling one wicket short as the innings closed on 213-9.

Loddon 120 (Edmonds 45, Stewart 23); Winterton 121-8 (Roper 39, Stewart 26-4, Edmonds 26-3).

Loddon were in high spirits on the back of a good win at Ketteringham Hall. Unfortunately they lost the toss and were inserted on a good, bouncy wicket against a quick and accurate attack. Runs were hard to come by. Ryan Edmonds provided the spine of the batting effort with a stubborn and lofty 45 and Mark Steward hit a classy 23. But when both batsmen were dismissed, the tail was exposed, and Loddon lost the last six wickets for 17.

Loddon looked sharp in the field and held on to their chances. Former fielder of the year, James Riseborough, took two diving chances at slip.

Ryan Edmonds opened the bowling and took three quick wickets and with Mark Stewart at the other end tweaking his leg breaks, the wickets tumbled, Edmonds snaring three and Stewart four.

Winterton wobbled, but Gary Roper wouldn't be moved in slowly accumulating 39 valuable runs. In the end Winterton scraped home with two wickets remaining.

TOPCROFT Sunday, sponsored by Earsham Gravels, travelled to Ashmanhaugh for their first Mid Norfolk Sunday League Division Two fixture of the season and gained a 26-run victory and a maximum 21 points.

Topcroft were asked to bat first and made a good start with openers Matthew Goodfellow (24) and Harry Windridge (10). Ben Davey (21) and Tim Alexander (16) both batted positively on the occasional loose ball but Siddle accounted for both batsman and then went on to claim another to finish with impressive figures of 5-26 from his 10 overs.

Topcroft were in trouble at 110-5 but Abram Ndhlovu (49) held the innings together and with some lower order hitting from James Fawcett (15), David Reeder (11) and James Nobbs (18 not out) Topcroft posted a respectable total of 203 all out.

Tim Alexander bowled a hostile spell conceding just eight runs from his five overs. His fellow U15 teammates Harry Windridge, Miles Kingston and James Nobbs all picked up a wicket each and the game was evenly poised when big hitting Australian Chris Nation joined the fray. Nation went on to hit 55 in short time before Ndhlovu had him caught behind by captain Neil Twyman, his first of three dismissals.

Topcroft then turned the screw with spinners Ndhlovu and David Reeder bowling in tandem as they swung the game back Topcroft's way. Ndhlovu went onto claim another wicket (2-61) while Reeder took the last wicket of his four wickets with the last ball of his spell to claim (4-38). Ashmanhaugh finished all out on 177.

Bungay A beat Kirkley and Lowestoft Railway by 134 runs in Norfolk League Three and maintained the only perfect record in the Norfolk League.

Electing to bat, openers Carl Cudden and Tim Porter accumulated 86 in the first 21 overs before Porter edged one behind. David Cushing joined Cudden, who powered his way to a commanding half-century, and the pair then pressed the accelerator as the score marched along to 150-1 after 29 overs. Dave Cushing joined Cudden in posting a half-century as the home bowling wilted. Cruickshank finally got the breakthrough bowling Cudden for 80, but Tony Chang ensured that maximum batting points were achieved with no further alarms.

Cushing perished for 69 going for quick runs by the returning Hayes, the pick of the home bowling, and the middle-order were skittled as the visitors pressed for a big score at the death, finally settling for 239-6.

The visitors were held up by a 440-run partnership but Pete Fuller broke it by holding on to a sharp return catch from Block, and then bowled Flynn for good measure. Flatt and Haines mopped up the tail to ensure a 26 point win to keep Bungay A top of Division Three.

Bungay host Costessey tomorrow.

Loddon A (26pts) beat Happisburgh A (5) by 113 runs in Norfolk League Division Six.

Loddon were given a solid start as GAW Hall and N Reeve produced a fluent stand of 48 until D Kelly had the later caught behind for a crisp 33. K Johnstone continued the pace with some fine stroke play along with Hall to build a good base for the then on-top Loddon side.

Then in the 30th over D Kelly (3-39) again broke a good partnership, this time one of 50, claiming Hall who batted solidly again, for 28 and then in his next over took K Johnstone's wicket for 33.

Happisburgh had Loddon pegged back at 128-6 though S Davey was beginning to find his form and the gaps in the field and when R Andrews joined him in the 38th over S Davey had seized the momentum back with some stylish batting. The pair added 65 in six overs propelling Loddon to 208-7 with the superb S Davey 64no (nine boundaries and one maximum) and a stout 25no from R Andrews.

New-ball pair J Curtis and GAW Hall put Loddon well on top. Happisburgh were reeling on 34-4. J Curtis bowled with intent to claim two more wickets ending a superb spell by both bowlers, J Curtis 9-1-19-4 and Hall complimenting with 8-1-23-2.

C Peck and D Kelly dug in for a dogged 40 run partnership until R Andrews ousted Kelly. This left N Reeve to produce a sparkling spell of 4-1-7-3 to clinch the victory which included a razor sharp stumping from the gloves of K Johnstone and a wonderful catch in the deep from M Shipley.

This fine bowling display was backed up in excellent fashion by some hard work and fine fielding from Meg Edmonds, S Davey and especially M Shipley (two catches).

S Davey was Musker McKintyre man of the match for a match-winning 64no.

GILLINGHAM: Due to the unavailability of their regular pitch at Maltings Meadow, Gillingham hosted Hardingham B at Ringsfield in Norfolk League Eight and won by eight wickets.

Gillingham skipper Hoare elected to field first and his bowlers set their side a target of 101.

They were Cockings, Aldridge, spinner Stevens who claimed three wickets for 22 runs in 12 excellent overs. Gillingham soon wrapped up the innings claiming the remaining three wickets in quick succession, the highlight a superb diving take from keeper Hoare off Aldridge.

Patrick and Stevens set about building a strong platform for a potentially tricky chase. Having seen off the Hardingham openers Stevens was the fell to leg-spinner Howard with the score on 42. Patrick followed for a well-made 31 leaving Aldridge and Hoare at the crease. For the second game in succession Aldridge batted with composure to guide Gillingham home in the 26th over, finishing unbeaten on 33 with Hoare making 11no.

Gillingham travel to league leaders Reepham and Salle tomorrow.

HALES Colts produced a good display, but still lost by 41 runs in Norfolk League Division Eight against Blundeston A.

Lewis White took 4-43 as Hales kept Blundeston to 184-9,with two wickets for Jake Turnell. Hales got off to a flyer, cracking 60 in 12 overs with Pete Dye top scoring on 59 as Hales finished on a respectable 143 total in a game played in a truly wonderful spirit.

HALES Colts lost to Blundeston A by 42 runs, but with the side containing seven under-13s, it was an excellent display.

Hales lost the toss and Blundeston started brightly before Lewis White trapped Daplyn for 12. Parker and Bessey added 65 before Jake Turnell removed them both, clean bowled in an excellent spell which returned impressive figures of 2-17.

Lewis White returned and claimed three more wickets to finish with impressive figures of 4-41 from 12 lively overs. Morgan Rusted picked up another courtesy of a great catch in the deep from Jake Rolph, Liam Jones was unlucky not to get a deserved wicket after Dye spilled a sharp chance from Fulwood as Blundeston closed on 184, with Ruyan Claxton smart behind the stumps and Liam Jones impressive in the field despite being injured.

Openers Pete Dye and Ryan Claxton raced to 32 before Claxton was caught for one, Dye continued his free scoring along with Chris Read, making 60 within 12 overs. They added 44 before Read was caught for a very good 17. Jones five, Jake Rolph and Josh Pitcher went quickly before Lewis White joined Dye who was finally removed for 59 in the 26th over, containing eight fours and a six. White made 12 and Justin Rolph 10 as Hales closed on 143 in the 40th over.

The C J Ball MoM: Pete Dye.

Southwold beat Beccles by three wickets at Southwold Common in a friendly

Electing to bat, Beccles got off to a steady start with openers Porter and Bailey moving to 20 off the first eight overs. Gareth Gorst-Allman got the breakthrough. Steve Hines got reward for a miserly spell of bowling by bowling Porter.

Craig Gorst-Allman began to work his way through the Beccles batting as he bowled Sutton, and then trapped Sneddon in front. Alex Wright quickly followed along with Van Huffel and Bale, as Beccles slipped to 112-8, Shaun Cooper picking up Fisher-s wicket.

Glen Wright provided stern resistance and found an able partner in Buck, Wright earning a deserved half-century before being out in the final overs.The visitors recovered to 178 all out with two balls remaining.

Southwold lost an early wicket but Jordan Barber and Richie Woodhall weathered the onslaught from a fired-up Michael Fisher and Lowe. The score ticked round to 60 at five per over before Woodhall skied one to cover.

Barber held firm and played some pleasing shots. Craig Gorst-Allman provided some support for the youngster but lost his off-stump to Van Huffel and Porter followed in similar vein to leave the home side 95-4 at the half-way point.

Andy Hirst batted sensibly as Barber moved on to his 50. Hirst offered a return catch in Van Huffel's final over, with the score at 133-5.

Barber then flogged Alex Wright for five successive boundaries, as Southwold took charge, and despite the loss of Cooper to a run out, were now favourites.

With just two runs to get, Barber holed out to Fisher at deep mid-wicket for an excellent 90. Kristian Jones then thumped the ball out of the ground to ensure victory.