Beccles play leapfrog

BECCLES travelled the short distance to Saxlingham in Norfolk Alliance Division Two knowing they were three points behind them in the league and could reverse the placings with a win.

A six-wicket win took Beccles to third position in the league with 182 points, just five behind second-place Swardeston.

Skipper Sydenham made it nine times in a row by winning the toss and putting Saxlingham in to bat on a drying wicket after rain overnight.

He put David Turrell (24 wickets this season) on to open the bowling with Michael Fisher, in the team for the first time this season due to the enforced absence of Etteridge, at the other end.

The pair made a breakthrough on the half-hour with No 2 batsman Lacey cleanly bowled by Fisher for 18.

However, it took the introduction of 'vintage' Tony Wright and Vihm before the next four wickets fell within a space of 30 minutes with none of the batsmen scoring more than 18.

The introduction of O Browne bought a respite for Saxlingham as he started a run spurt, but within 20 minutes he too was gone.

And after his dismissal the bottom-order batsmen sadly crumbled, leaving a total of 101 to chase.

Opening pair Rob Porter and Rich Turrell started the scoreboard turning slowly and, with Saxlingham appealing unsuccessfully for Rob Porter's wicket, the partnership carried on until Rich Turrell was caught by D Johnson.

Dick Porter at No 3 upped the pace and the score had doubled by the time he was caught by the Saxlingham captain N Forsdick.

With Vihm being in good batting form recently it was disappointing to see him out to a dubious caught behind for only six runs.

A change to the batting line-up moved David Turrell into the No 5 spot and he did the job he was sent out to do and within 20 minutes had scored 26 runs before being bowled.

With Rob Porter standing at 47 and the score at 98 Powley strode to the crease and took only two balls to hit the winning runs.