Mark Stewart produced a masterful century but could not prevent Hales and Loddon from slumping to an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of Norfolk Alliance Division Six title-chasers Horsford B.

Stewart hit a superb 122, featuring a 96-run boundary blitz of 14 fours and six sixes in 26 overs of pure cricketing carnage after rescueing the side from a precarious 29 for 3 after 13 overs.

A star turn which helped to propel the team towards a respectable 202 all out was finally ended by a running catch off a skier at mid-off off the bowling of Sam Collinson.

Other H&L batting efforts were small beer by comparison, Milton Lindsay hitting 15 and Will Yates weighing in with a hard-hit 31 before both succumbed to brilliant catches.

Lindsay saw a sweetly-struck extra cover drive plucked goalkeeper-like out of the air while Yates, who had earlier been dropped twice, brutally slapped a long hop only to see the ball perfectly pouched by the close-in mid-wicket fielder.

Sam Collinson (seven overs 4 for 17) took the Horsford bowling honours, supported by the experienced Adrian Gilbert (nine overs 2 for 35), Billy Harvey (seven overs 2 for 42) and Williams Minns (two overs 2 for 5).

H&L were forced to toil with little reward in the field as Horsford’s batsmen made the most of their good track at Manor Park.

The innings featured an entertaining 78 (11 fours and three sixes) from Jack Robertson, a 14-year-old talent to be reckoned with.

Opener Ben Collinson (60) and Billy Harvey (25 not out) brought up victory in the 34th over as H&L wilted in the field.

Successes were few and far between for the visitors. Will Yates trapped Thomas Vaughan lbw for five in the third over before Collinson and Robertson put on 134 in the following 22 overs. The partnership was broken when Milton Lindsay had Robertson caught in the deep by Matt Buckingham in his first over.

H&L end their campaign at home to Dereham A tomorrow (12.30pm start). They need a win to ensure finishing sixth in the table.

Musker McIntyre man-of-the-match: Mark Stewart.

In the same section Topcroft A (241-5) beat Thetford A (193-8). They finish their season at Ashmanhaugh and Barton Wanderers A.