LODDON went into their game with Norfolk League Division One leaders Winterton with a point to prove, having lost two in a row. It was time to bounce back!A good win for Loddon keeps them still in the title race with six games to go.

LODDON went into their game with Norfolk League Division One leaders Winterton with a point to prove, having lost two in a row. It was time to bounce back!

A good win for Loddon keeps them still in the title race with six games to go. Next is Shipdham, the only other team in the league to have beaten the leaders.

Loddon elected to bat, openers, Rowson (27) and Edmunds (14) made a quick start, running many tight singles. The first wicket fell in the 14th over with the score on 45. Then Loddon lost three quick wickets to leave them reeling on 52-4.

Luckily for Loddon, Stuart Nunn (50) and Mark Stewart (76) steadied the ship and then accelerated and by the time Nunn was dismissed in 37th the score was 156. The lower order threw the bat to take Loddon to 208.

On still a very decent batting track, Andy Wells used the new ball superbly. He ran down the hill and straight though the Winterton top-order, clean bowling three of the top four and ending with figures of 46-4.

After 20 overs Winterton were 89-5. The runs didn't look a problem but the wickets column did. Mark Stewart bowled a tight spell (47-3) and with Winterton on 118-8 after 30 overs the game looked all but over.

But Winterton are not top of the pile for nothing and with the skipper Perceval and the youngest player on the field, Drake, they attempted to make Loddon work.

They batted incredibly well and intelligently, especially the youngster, Drake (49) manoeuvring their team into a position where they needed 32 runs off three overs.

It was at this point that Loddon realised they could lose the game. Stuart Nunn and Kevin Jones bowled with their heads so that 20 were needed off the final over.

The field was spread and the target remained just out of reach for Winterton, who ended on 200-8.

Loddon 208-8 (Mark Stewart 76, Stuart Nunn 50; B Utting 50-4, R Larner 38-3). Winterton 200-8 (S Drake 49, W Noble-Parker 26; Andy Wells 46-4; Mark Stewart 47-3).

Loddon Garden and Seed MoM: Mark Stewart and Andy Wells.

LODDON A travelled to Happisburgh and got back to winning ways with M Edmonds taking five wickets and N Reeve hitting 60.

Loddon put the home side into bat. G Hall and A Aldred both beat the bat and kept a good line and as the pressure built Hall got the breakthrough with a dipping full toss.

In the 16th over M Edmonds replaced the skipper and had an immediate impact as Edmonds had D Trivett caught and bowled. As M Edmonds and T Jermy turned the screw, Edmonds had R Mash well caught at gully by Hall as her slow pace with good bounce proved to much.

Jermy bowled C Peck and Loddon produced some fine saves in the field with J Perry and N Oisy putting themselves about. Edmonds fine medium pace had Z Blanch bowled leg stump for 46.

Then in her eighth over came her fifth wicket, G Hall taking a good catch in the gully for the third time, leaving the home side on 125-9.

Edmonds bowled out her spell in fine fashion with three consecutive maidens for 12-5-47-5.

Hall came back into the attack as the last-wicket pair of Taylor and Kelly proved awkward for Loddon and produce 40 runs before Hall bowled Taylor for a stubborn 11, giving

the home side a competitive 165

all out after a solid team performance from Loddon.

N Reeve and G Hall set about the total for Loddon in a positive manner as Reeve made light work of anything short or wide. D Kelly started to peg back the flow with some good slow bowling. R Mash then had both openers in trouble and was unlucky to have Hall dropped twice.

It wasn't until the 26th over that the home side got the breakthrough as C Peck had Reeve caught behind for a trademark 60 (eight fours and one sixes) at 89-1.

Loddon skipper joined Hall and they paced the chase well and saw Loddon home in the 39th over as

A Aldred hit to fours to seal a nine-wicket win, ending 44 not out in a solid partnership of 78 with Hall 47 not out.

Although Hall had a superb all round match with two wickets, three catches and 47 not out it was Edmonds who stole the player of the match award for her fantastic back-to-form bowling display which set up the win.

Loddon 2 167/1 N Reeve 60 GAW Hall 47 no, A Aldred 44no, M Edmonds

12-5-47-5, G Hall 10-1-28-2.