This week Hales host Dersingham at Postwick and will look to continue the good work and build it into a season-long momentum. On Sunday Hales first team return to the Green to play Mattishall in the Carter Plate, 2pm start, meet at 1pm.

This week Hales host Dersingham at Postwick and will look to continue the good work and build it into a season-long momentum.

On Sunday Hales first team return to the Green to play Mattishall in the Carter Plate, 2pm start, meet at 1pm.

Hales made the long trip to Hillington for their Norfolk Alliance Division Two game, missing some key players.

Skipper Steve Rowe lost the toss again, and Hales were asked to bat on a wicket that was wet after the overnight rain.

Chris Andersen was the first to depart in the ninth over with the score on 27 and what had been a good opening partnership in the conditions was ruined when opening partner Martin Cornish was dismissed for a quick 19.

Philly Squire (47) and Dan Andersen set about repairing the damage putting on 34 for the next wicket before a lack of concentration meant the young number four was dismissed for 10.

The middle order all chipped in and then perished when looking set trying to force the pace and early thoughts of 160 being a good score seemed far off at 123-7 with only seven overs left.

Rob Andersen stepped up to the plate, playing freely despite the situation with a rapid 34 and his ninth-wicket partnership with Graham Squire added 46 runs in six overs to see Hales close on 174-9, a frustrating one run short of a fourth batting point. Scott Thaxton was the pick of the home attack as his slow right arm claimed 4-34 off 12 overs.

Hales knew they would have to bowl and field well not to lose this game as the wicket was becoming easier to bat on with the warm wind drying it out.

Rob Andersen and Todd Jones called in for an Alliance debut, bowled well at the start and made the Hillington openers work for every run and, although wicketless, Hillington had only scored 16 runs from their first 10 overs.

In the 11th and 12th over the batsmen seemed to get the measure of the attack and doubled their score. The introduction of Graham Squire into the attack saw Hales claim their first victim as A Cooper was enticed into a drive only to see the ball fly to Mark Ramsdale at first slip who held on well low down.

Unfortunately for Hales and Squire he was feeling a twinge in his shoulder and had to be removed from the attack.

Matthew Lovick changed ends and Cornish was introduced into the wind.

They soon settled into a rhythm and pulled the game back in Hales favour as they reeled of seven consecutive maidens between them, including the first wicket for Cornish and at the halfway stage Hillington stood at 53-2.

Hales claimed four wickets in four overs and by the end of the 33rd over the game was nicely poised at 96-6.

R Andersen was bowling well on his reintroduction, Lovick returned 2-35 off 12 and when Cornish finished with an impressive 5-33 analysis.

Debutant Todd Jones was then brought back into the attack for the last two overs from one end with Hillington on 127-9. Given the responsibility he was understandably a little nervous but he bowled a couple of dot balls, was hit over his head for four, bowled a high full toss no ball that also went for four byes and then claimed the final priceless wicket, to cap a very competent first game at this level and push Hales' points haul from 16 to 23.

This was a superb team effort enhanced by some excellent individual performances. Chris Andersen's keeping was top class as he claimed three catches standing up, Phil Squire held the innings together well in the middle and Rob Andersen bowled well allied to a late contribution with the bat.

Loddon Family Planning Clinic MoM: Martin Cornish for 19 and 5-33.