HALES visited a potential banana skin in Garboldisham on Saturday looking to hold on to top spot in Norfolk Alliance Division Two.With Beccles and Swardeston's encounter falling victim to rain and Hillington upsetting the form book by beating Dereham, the 25 points Hales took from their victory gave them a 29-point lead at the top.

HALES visited a potential banana skin in Garboldisham on Saturday looking to hold on to top spot in Norfolk Alliance Division Two.

With Beccles and Swardeston's encounter falling victim to rain and Hillington upsetting the form book by beating Dereham, the 25 points Hales took from their victory gave them a 29-point lead at the top.

In the seven victories from eight games this season they have bowled the opposition out on four occasions to win. Graham Squire claimed five wickets for 25.

Again Steve Rowe lost the toss and the Garboldisham skipper asked Hales to bat first.

A quick shower before the start made the hard and fast wicket play even quicker and the Garboldisham opening bowlers got a bit carried away with short bowling in their attempts to claim an early wicket.

Openers Chris Andersen and Martin Cornish were not fazed by this approach and put on 58 before Cornish was dismissed in the 10th over for a typically aggressive 39.

Dave Harmer (8) looked in good touch before missing a slower ball and Dan Andersen (11), Mark Ramsdale (16) and Joe Kaye (12) also all got in and looked comfortable but could not take things on.

Hales position of 150-3 off 25 overs owed much to opener Andersen's well compiled 72 and had them thinking of a 300 score.

However, some cavalier batting and dogged never say die bowling from Fuller (8.4-0-40-5) saw them dismissed for 218 in the 39th over with only Robin Andersen's 36 anything to shout about and on what looked a fantastic batting track Hales knew they had their work cut out to defend their total knowing Garboldisham had 52 overs to get them.

A fiery opening burst from Graham Squire put Hales on top as Garboldisham failed to deal with his pace.

Ably assisted by Robin Andersen, who took 1-26, Squire dismissed the first five home batsmen in a 13 over spell that cost only 25 runs.

Matthew Lovick and Rowe claimed a scalp apiece and Neil Pearce weighed in with two as wickets tumbled at regular intervals.

A dogged rearguard action from A Hogg with 41 not out could not save the home side and Garboldisham were all out for 115 in the 40th over thanks to a stunning catch at second slip by Harmer to claim the all important tenth wicket.

Chris Andersen again batted with a maturity well above his years and held on to two good catches in a tidy display behind the stumps, but the DJ Talent man of the match goes to Graham Squire for his five wickets in a magnificent display of fast bowling.