Beccles have to settle for draw

Beccles made the long trip to Hillington in search of some much-needed points to push them back into the Norfolk Alliance Division Two promotion places and had to settle for a losing draw and seven points.

Tomorrow sees Town at top- of-the-table Hales in a derby that could rekindle Beccles' hopes of going up if they put the undoubted talent in the side to good use.

Beccles captain Sydenham won the toss at Hillington and chose to bowl on what looked a decent track. The side began well with some tight bowling from Vihm and Turrel, but couldn't find the breakthrough, the home side reaching 100 without loss in the 26th over.

However, with the track proving very flat, there were signs of encouragement for Beccles in limiting Hillington to just four an over.

Chances came, and were missed again and again as Hillington looked to push on, and town, with the exception of in-form George, lost some of their early discipline with the ball. Hillington made use of this and the short, straight boundaries to push the score along. Opener Bix, who gave several simple chances went on to make 103 not out, supported well by James (78) and Fisher (87no) to set a formidable target of 283.

Openers Richard Turrel and Rob Porter knew they had to get Beccles off to a solid start to get a result, and did so, putting away some loose bowling on the good Hillington track.

The pair added 92 before Richard Turrel fell for a well- made 48 to a well-disguised quicker ball from leg spinner Innes-Kerr.

Richard Porter joined his brother and set about pushing Town towards their target.

The pair were looking good, adding 38 before Richard Porter fell in the same way as Turrel to the unpredictable Innes-Kerr. Ruddock joined Porter in another solid partnership, built on some good running between the wickets. However, they lost Porter for 59 and then a steady fall of wickets meant the Beccles innings lost momentum at 217 for seven.