BECCLES Town played out a bizarre tie on Saturday at home to rock-bottom Hillington, missing out on 10 points which would have propelled them up the league.

Town skipper Porter won the toss and elected to bowl on a damp pitch on a cold and windy afternoon, and Hillington began steadily until Alex Wright struck the opening blow, Taylor caught athletically in the gully by Ruddock.

Turrell bowled well from the other end without reward, and Ruddock also went cheaply.

George continued his form with the ball, snaring the important wicket of Fisher and another in his figures of 2-24. No Hillington batsman made a big contribution, but all chipped in for their total of 166.

Wright returned in tandem with Fred Fisher, the former ending the pick of the bowlers with figures of 5-51, and Fisher 3-21.

In contrast to the previous week’s effort at Fakenham, the top three failed. Puxley and Porter, the chief run getters the week before, were both dismissed cheaply, along with another form player in Richard Turrell.

Then No 5 Ross collected his seventh duck of the season and Beccles were staring down the barrel on 11-4.

Rich Porter and Ruddock began to rebuild, and sensible play moved the score onto 80 before Porter was lbw for 28. Ruddock made 53 before also being given lbw with victory in sight.

George made singles out of nothing with the Beccles tail supporting him, and when No 11 Glen Wright came to the crease, Town needed just 15 to win to set up a thrilling finale.

With four needed for victory, George smashed a straight dive only for it to be amazingly pulled in from the rope on the lightning-fast outfield.

With just one to win, Wright was bowled by a perfect Yorker.

Nirvana Fitness man of the match was Alex Wright.

Town must blame the needless wides they bowled as the reason for the disappointing result.

This week Beccles travel to Garboldisham, a side they beat twice two seasons ago.

n Sunday saw Beccles play host to Premier Division big boys North Runcton in the Carter Cup second round, aiming for a giant-killing on home soil.

Asked to bat first, Beccles got off to a superb start, Robert Porter and Richard Turrell playing with great discipline and putting away any loose bowling.

However Porter may have felt hard done by to be adjudged lbw for 37, and was followed soon after by Ross.

Partnerships between Sajid Turrell (53), Richard Porter and Ruddock, and some lower order resistance meant Beccles posted a target of 207.

Runcton never looked in any real bother getting the runs, but Town put up a good fight, with the modest Hemeter bringing up victory for the away side in the 46th over, much to the delight of the travelling fans, which numbered almost 200.