Hales & Loddon returned to winning ways with a seven-wicket win over Norwich A which gained them 21 points in Norfolk Alliance Division One.

Norwich A, having been put into bat, found runs difficult to come by against the H&L opening pace attack who took advantage of the early conditions.

H&L stayed on top for the whole of the Norwich innings with the exception of M Gyton, who finished on 37 not out.

The pick of the H&L bowlers was spinner M Stewart who took four wickets.

H&L then took up the task of overhauling the 131 set by Norwich.

Again, scoring runs was difficult but the H&L openers, S Arminger and S Rowe, frustrated the opening Norwich pace attack with a very dogged display.

S Arminger was the first wicket to fall, bowled for 21 with the H&L total on 47 off 25 overs.

Although slow scoring, this partnership proved to be worth its weight in gold.

S Rowe was then stumped chasing a big hit against the bowling of B Fernando, having realised that the run rate needed to be increased if H&L were to win the game.

Captain P Squire, next in, then set about the task of increasing the run rate. H&L lost one more wicket, that of A Jones, who was still looking at where he was trying to hit the ball when his stumps went flying, bowled by speedster A Watson.

D Harmer then joined P Squire and both batted well, ensuring that H&L got over the finishing line with overs to spare. P Squire finished 42 not out and D Harmer 12 not out.

The H & L Sprake & Kingsley Man of the Match: Bowler M Stewart for his four for 46 and batsman P Squire for his 42 not out.

Hales & Loddon: S Rowe stumped b B Fernando 22, S Arminger b E Ford 21, P Squire not out 42, A Jones b A Watson 7, D Harmer not out 12. Extras 28. Total 132 for 3

Bowling: M Stacey 12-2-25-0, K Rashid 7.2- 0-16-0, A.Watson 13-3-22- 1, B Fernando 13-3-36-1, E Ford 4-1-21-1.

Norwich A: F Sutton ct wk S Arminger b R Andersen 12, A Watson ct A Jones b M Lovick 4, M Stacey ct M Lovick b S Nunn 10, T Vaughan lbw b S Nunn 8, L Sexton ct S Rowe b M Stewart 8, B Fernando b M Stewart 14, R Boothby ct S.Rowe b M Stewart 11, M Gyton not out 37, C Whurr ct P Squire b M Stewart 0, K Rashid b R Andersen 2, E Ford ct R Andersen b S Rowe 2. Extras 23. Total 131 all out.

Bowling: R Andersen 11-4-23-2, M Lovick 11-1-22-1, S Nunn 13-5-31-2, M Stewart 11-3-46-4, S Rowe 2.1-0-2-1.

Hales A paid the price for a disappointing batting collapse as they slumped to a five-wicket defeat by Old Catton in Norfolk League Division One.

Hales were dismissed for 105, with seven of their allocated 45 overs unused in the clash at Postwick which beat heavy overnight rain thanks to a brand new set of first-class covers which arrived during the week at the ground Catton share with EAPL club Norwich.

After Hales were inserted, veteran Brian Read’s 23 gave the innings early momentum before a collapse ensued as Robert Loone and skipper Andy Harris shared six wickets.

But for a stylish 22 from Brian’s son Chris, 13, the Hales total could have been significantly lower.

Hales raised their game after the interval and their bowlers and fielders made Catton fight hard for their victory, which came in the 33rd over thanks to a hard-hit unbeaten 23 from Max Smith, with support from Jon Cooke (18) and Sean Ames (21).

Youngsters took the Hales bowling honours with swing bowler Chris Read showing excellent control in a seven-over spell which cost only 14 runs and spinner Aaron Beaumont bowling well for 2-17 from six overs.

Ground fielding was also good with some smart catches taken.

Hales MoM: Chris Read.