Topcroft beat Mattishall by seven wickets in the Frankly Digital Norfolk Alliance Division One to gain their first win of the season.

Topcroft were boosted by the inclusion of Chris Hancock and Rob Marshall along with the very welcome return of David Todd, who missed the entire 2010 campaign through injury.

Hancock asked the hosts to bat first. Topcroft got off to a great start when opener Brown (0) was caught by James Goodfellow off the bowling of Greg Rostron in only the second over.

Mattishall responded well and were quick to dispatch anything even slightly loose to the boundary. The Mattishall 50 was brought up in only the seventh over.

Mattishall constantly looked to attack at every opportunity which allowed them a daunting run-rate but also offered plenty of opportunities to the Topcroft fielders, who grasped them.

Matthew Goodfellow took a stunning catch at point to dismiss Chetwood off the bowling of Marshall.

Todd bowled well and helped to put the brakes on the middle order, finishing with figures of 1-30.

Further good catches for Davey, J Goodfellow and Hancock enabled Topcroft to wrap up Mattishall’s innings for 207 in just 42 overs, with good spells of bowling from Rostron (4-62) from 12 overs) and Marshall (3-32).

Topcroft had 57 overs to chase down the victory target but Hancock looked in a rush and was soon putting the pressure on the fielding side. He was ably assisted by Matthew Goodfellow who was performing an excellent support role, the skipper brought up his 50 (including 10 boundaries) with the score on 88. Hancock departed for 55, which led to a flurry of wickets as Baldwin departed first ball, adjudged lbw to Garner. M Goodfellow soon followed him back to the pavilion with a rare loose shot, which was snapped up by Gully, leaving Topcroft on 116 for three. James Goodfellow joined Ben Davey at the crease with Topcroft requiring 92 runs to reach their victory target.

There was a minor scare when Goodfellow was dropped off the bowling of Cross, but this was Mattishall’s final chance to break this impressive partnership.

Goodfellow ended the match with a glorious straight drive for six to leave himself on 47 not out and Davey on 46 not out and secure a well-earned 24 points for Topcroft.

Mattishall: C Brown c J Goodfellow b Rostrum 0, J Smith c Hancock b J Goodfellow 24, N Lockwood b J Goodfellow 22, G Chet wood c M Goodfellow b Marshall 5, J Cole c Davey b Marshall 12, O Hubbard c Hancock b Rostrum 14, T Spalding b Todd 24, M Cross b Rostrum 37, N Gostling c J Goodfellow b Rostrum 16, A Garner c-b Marshall 15, D Beaumont not out 18; extras 20. Total 207.

Topcroft: C Hancock c Garner b Beaumont 55, M Goodfellow c Cole b Beaumont 33, B Baldwin lbw Garner 0, B Davey not out 46, J Goodfellow not out 47; extras 32. Total (3 wkts) 213.