HALES continued their fine form with a comprehensive win over fourth placed Ashmanhaugh to leave them just eight points behind league leaders Hillington in Norfolk Alliance Division Three.

HALES continued their fine form with a comprehensive win over fourth placed Ashmanhaugh to leave them just eight points behind league leaders Hillington in Norfolk Alliance Division Three.

Hales were asked to bat first and made a bad start as Harmer was yorked first ball.

Chris Andersen and Phil Squire both steadied the innings. Andersen played the anchor role, but Squire continued his fine recent form as he scored rapidly.

Andersen was growing in composure and started to raise the tempo and a big partnership was developing quickly. Squire was dismissed after an excellent innings of 60 and posted a crucial 104-run partnership to put Hales in a strong position.

Andersen continued his marathon innings aided by a cameo innings by brother Dan (22) which was the only other double- figure score as the innings didn't quite develop as it should have.

Andersen was as determined as ever as he saw off Ashmanhaugh's danger man and overseas player T Satti with some style.

He was a rock in defence and latched onto anything short as he scored stylish boundaries with a string of cut and pull shots.

His outstanding innings came to an end as he fell for 74 in the 42nd over, but Hales managed to scramble just past the 200 mark as they finished on 209-9 off 46 overs.

Ashmanhaugh raced to 16 in three overs to signal their intent but Robin Andersen quickly put a halt on the scoring and dismissed both the openers. D Flint (28) and R Gant (25) were the only resistance, and once Lovick and Rowe had accounted for them Hales were in the driving seat.

No other batsman offered any sort of genuine resilience as the Hales attack ran riot to bowl out Ashmanhaugh for 99 in the 38th over. Robin Andersen was the pick of the bowlers again as he continued his impressive run.

He claimed 4-24 and Rowe and Lovick both bowled brilliantly as they picked up three wickets each.

MP Cornish Bathroom and Showers Man of the Match goes to Chris Andersen for an outstanding innings of 74.

The previous week, Matthew Lovick produced another match- winning performance as Hales beat East Harling by four wickets.

Hales lost the toss and were very surprised to be asked to bowl first on a pitch that had been under covers which had leaked through the overnight rain. Hales restricted the home side to 149-8.

In reply, Hales were rocking at 100-6.

With plenty of overs in hand Hales could have picked off two an over to win but powerhouse Lovick smashed five fours and three sixes in a whirlwind 42 not out to win the game for Hales in style.

P Dye TV Installation and Repairs Man of the Match: Lovick for another quality all-round performance.