Gillingham secured an 89-run victory over Felthorpe A on Saturday to keep pace with the Division Three leaders.

Having elected to bat first on an excellent wicket at Felthorpe’s picturesque ground, Barber and Patrick started positively and scored 35 runs in the opening seven overs.

Barber continued his excellent recent form and was particularly harsh on any short-pitched bowling to dominate the stand before Patrick fell to impressive opening bowler Gill (1-41).

Springall was positive and helped to maintain the scoring rate as Barber brought up a half-century from 44 balls with his second six.

After looking well-set, Barber’s innings of 55 ended in the 14th over, trapped in front having attempted a reverse-sweep to bring Liam Smith to the crease with Gillingham at 75-2.

Springall and Smith continued to attack with a partnership of 63, the largest of the innings, scored primarily in boundaries before Springall (39) was dismissed by an incredible one-handed catch from league chairman Ridout.

The wicket did little to curb Smith’s aggression as the runs continued to flow, Smith bringing up 50 from just 38 balls before falling for 62 having smashed six fours and five maximums.

The wicket saw the run-rate dip for the first time in the innings but, as Stevens and Fowles took the total passed 200. Stevens resumed his role from the previous fixture, steadily accumulating by positive running before Fowles (18) was run out by a sharp piece of fielding.

Ashford (10) struck a brace of boundaries before falling in pursuit of quick runs in the last five overs before Stevens (26 not) and Britton (12 not) saw out the remainder of the innings, Britton striking the last two deliveries for four to add some gloss to the total of 242-6.

The hosts made a strong start to the chase with openers Edwards and Dismore punishing any loose deliveries and looking in imposing form to add 29 in the first six overs before Fowles and Matt Smith started to wrestle back control of the run rate.

Both batsmen had been reprieved by dropped catches and added 47 before Stevens took a well-judged catch to remove Edwards (22) off the bowling of Smith.

Wickets for Fowles (2-35) in each of the next two overs, including Barber doing well to hang on to a catch at short leg despite being wiped out by Patrick, also attempting to reach the ball, reduced Felthorpe to 51-3 after 15 but Dismore continued to look in excellent touch.

After taking 15 from a single over it took a piece of magic in the field to remove the Felthorpe opener for 48, Barber doing well to half-stop a drive before Fowles swooped to effect a clean pick up and throw down the stumps.

The wicket proved a key breakthrough and when Smith (2-36) bowled Shah on the stroke of the drinks break Gillingham were in control with Felthorpe 92-5.

The introduction of Stevens took the game towards its end with two wickets in the spinner’s first over, both sharp catches from Vickers. The Felthorpe lower order came out swinging before being mopped up by Barber (1-24) and Stevens (4-31), all out in the 36th over for 153.

Wiggs Motor Engineers man of the match was Liam Smith.

Meanwhile, fresh from a long-awaited elusive victory, Bungay entertained local rivals Brooke A.

Unfortunately they were missing York, Deano and Bedingfield from the previous week and welcomed new boys Charles Burg, Lewi Armstrong and Minty.

Bungay were asked to bat and were immediately in trouble as Matt ran himself out trying a very quick single, with the score on one. At 11-1 after 12 overs, Lewis was next to depart trying and failing to up the tempo.

Batsman came and went but unfortunately no one other than Ramm and Cudden were able to trouble the scorers and Bungay finished on 99-9.

Bungay came out with intent and despite a few dropped catches Charles Burg looked to be moving it both ways.

With the score on 37, Mattocks swung the game around with two wickets and when Ling ran out Andrews the score was 52-3. Fuller stepped up with two more wickets and the game was on.

However, despite their best efforts, 99 was not enough and even though Mattocks took a further two wickets, Brooke scrapped over seven down.

Bungay under 13s sit on the top of the table after a convincing win over local rivals Topcroft

Topcroft batted first and Bungay’s bowling and fielding was outstanding.

Topcroft managed a respectable 95-4 and Bungay after three overs had 38 on the board.

Bungay got to the total with three overs to spare with only one wicket down and Joe Wicks 30 not out.