Damp squib for Topcroft

TOPCROFT welcomed Cromer to Topcroft Sports Field on Saturday and ended up on the receiving end of a loss, gaining only seven points in the process in a rain-affected game.

TOPCROFT welcomed Cromer to Topcroft Sports Field on Saturday and ended up on the receiving end of a loss, gaining only seven points in the process in a rain-affected game.

This turned out to be a disappointing afternoon for Topcroft who will be looking to bounce back next weekend when they travel to Diss.

Topcroft lost Hancock early off the bowling of Craske, but D Todd and Du Plessis went about rebuilding the innings and took the score to 95 off 27 overs before Du Plessis was adjudged to be caught at the wicket for a well-made 43.

Goodfellow joined Todd and the pair continued to increase the total, with Todd bringing up his 50. Goodfellow (12) was the next wicket to fall, bowled by Warnes and this triggered a collapse as Topcroft fell from 149-3 to 179-8 when the players left the field for a rain delay.

When the players returned to the wicket Topcroft posted a total of 201 for 9.

Cromer looked to attack from the start. Openers T Davies and Clark got off to a cracking start with Clark punishing some poor bowling by Marshall.

I Todd was introduced into the attack and removed Clark for 22, thanks to a fantastic catch by stand-in wicketkeeper Hancock. A Todd bowled Turner for nine and Cromer were 58 for two.

I Todd took two wickets in two balls, to shift the game in Topcroft's favour with Cromer 68-4 off 16 overs.

This brought Warnes to the crease, who along with skipper Davies began to build a match-winning partnership. The pair put together 89 before Davies was bowled by Rostron for 51.

This gave Topcroft a small glimmer of hope with Cromer 157-5 needing only 45 runs to win. A Todd returned to the attack to remove Regis.

This was the last wicket to fall as Elliott (18 not out) joined Warnes (78 not out) and the pair managed to score the remaining runs required.