Hales completed a memorable season as they wrapped up the Division Three title in their first-ever season in the Norfolk Alliance with a comprehensive victory at Barton Turf.

Hales completed a memorable season as they wrapped up the Division Three title in their first-ever season in the Norfolk Alliance with a comprehensive victory at Barton Turf.

Hales won the toss and elected to bowl first on an indifferent looking pitch. The innings took the usual start as the openers found left-armer Robin Andersen unplayable and Lovick was tight as ever.

It was just a case of survival for the batsmen until South African Jones arrived at the crease.

Jones survived a sharp caught and bowled chance of his first ball but quickly put it behind him as he started to show his class.

Jones was looking dangerous as he passed his half century but Graham Squire was bowling beautifully and beat the South African for pace to clean bowl him and expose a very fragile middle order.

With Jones out of the equation the run rate dropped instantly and the batsman were just trying to survive as openers Andersen and Lovick came back for impressive second spells.

Wanderers limped to just 133 for 6 off their 46 over innings as Hales never let them get away with the game.

Rowe claimed 2-33 with tidy off spin, Lovick, Squire and Cornish all claimed a wicket a piece and Cornish claimed another run out.

In reply, Harmer was promoted back to the openers spot and got the innings underway with a straight drive for four off the first ball of the innings.

Harmer contributed a rapid fire 24 until he was dismissed in the fifth over with the score on 35.

Chris Andersen and P Squire then picked off the runs with ease as both the youngsters sealed impressive seasons with the bat. Andersen showed his class and high levels of concentration as he calmly made his way to 48 not out to wrap the game up for Hales.

Squire was unlucky to play on to his stumps for 24 and Ramsdale scored a quick-fire 20 not out as Hales were officially crowned champions of Division Three with an eight wicket victory.

It is an incredible effort from the youthful Hales team who have secured promotion three years in a row now.

Each year as the standard raises, so does the quality and the performance of the team and promotion was secured each time by winning the league and losing only one game in each of the last three seasons.

Chris Andersen was the Foster's Lager man of the match with an excellent 48 not out.