Topcroft beat Downham A by 62 runs on Saturday to move to the top of Norfolk Alliance Division Two.

After being put in to bat, Chris Hancock (7) was caught early slashing to backwards point and Ben Baldwin (18) went playing around one and hitting his leg stump.

Harry Windridge (86) and Jacob Rhodes (16) then got their side back on track before Rhodes played a leading edge to third man. James Goodfellow came in hitting well before being trapped lbw before Henry Parkinson and Ian Todd (27) were caught on the boundary.

James Prewer-Andrews was quickly run out before Windridge’s fine knock was ended when he was caught. Martin Talbot was also lbw before David Todd worked well with Stuart Pywell (21) to get the score up to 205-9.

Todd opened up with Baldwin (1-20), with the latter breaking through the opening partnership.

Todd (1-26) came on to bowl in some great areas and even after a new batsman came in showing aggressive intent he came on top with a great take from Hancock. Parkinson (2-7) came in from the other end, getting a catch from Todd and getting another batsman bowled straight after drinks.

Prewer-Andrews then came in to make his bowling debut and caimed impressive figures of 4-32 to finish the opposition off for 144.

Topcroft host bottom side Bradenham tomorrow.

Topcroft B (141-7) beat Hales and Loddon A (111) by 30 runs in Norfolk League Division Four South East.

South African James Webster gave Hales’ reply the perfect impetus with a blistering 34 from five overs and with Richard Cook adding 10, the hosts looked well on their way.

But when the freescoring Webster was caught by David Reeder off the bowling of young Jamie Reeder, the innings went into freefall, reaching 73 for eight in 20 overs. A determined 17 from number 10 James Sisley, with good support from youth Callum Considine, kept faint hopes alive. But when Sisley, a new recruit from Ashby, was caught by Ryan Ellis off the bowling of David Reeder, the innings ended on the Nelson score of 111 with the best part of 10 overs remaining.

Earlier the Topcroft innings had featured an unbeaten 42 from the experienced David Reeder, a patient 20 from Mark Whiting and 29 from Alan James.