TOPCROFT entertained Hales in Alliance Division One in a thrilling match that ended in a tie with just four balls remaining.Hales skipper Rowe asked Topcroft to bat first and they lost their in-form captain Chris Hancock (2) well caught by keeper Chris Anderson off Knight.

TOPCROFT entertained Hales in Alliance Division One in a thrilling match that ended in a tie with just four balls remaining.

Hales skipper Rowe asked Topcroft to bat first and they lost their in-form captain Chris Hancock (2) well caught by keeper Chris Anderson off Knight.

South African Ndhlovu and Matt Goodfellow put on a terrific second-wicket partnership of 115. Goodfellow reached his first half-century in the first XI and Ndhlovu his first half-ton for the club. In his first game of the season, Chris Barber (38) looked in great touch as Topcroft looked to post 250.

Bowlers Lovick, Hlengani and Pearce all bowled tight lines and put a squeeze on the scoring rate during the middle overs. With the loss of some quick wickets late on, Topcroft only had James Goodfellow (16) and David Reeder (17) making double figures. Topcroft finished on 230 for 9 from their 50 overs.

In reply, Hales lost their South African Chris Hlengani in the first over, caught by keeper Chris Taylor off Rob Marshall for a duck as Hlengani looked to attack a full ball.

The Topcroft opener Marshall bowled a very tight line with only seven runs coming off his first seven overs. Phil Squire looked at ease and was looking to build a big score, but he chased a very wide ball and nicked it to slip.

Dan Anderson and his brother Chris put on a partnership of 77 for the third wicket with D Anderson scoring the majority.

D Anderson played beautifully on his way to 40, increasing the run rate with his nine boundaries before he was sensationally caught

one-handed by Chris Taylor off Ian Todd.

When C Anderson departed for a well battled 32, Hales looked in trouble at 126 for 5 requiring another 105 from 23 overs.

Todd soon removed Aaron Jones who left the ball, only for it to knock his off-stump out of the ground.

Despite the loss of wickets Hales were always up with the rate. Rob Anderson batted well for 35, before David Reeder has him caught by Ndhlovu and then Reeder removed Matt Lovick (2) caught by Tim Alexander in the deep.

G Squire held the lower order together and received support from Steve Rowe (17) before Marshall (3 for 40) had him caught by Ben Davey.

Ian Todd then removed J Knight for a duck, leaving Hales 30 to win off seven overs.

N Pearse (17 not out) provided G Squire with good support attacking when possible.

With one over to go Hales needed two to win and took a single off the first ball to tie the scores.

Next ball though, Todd produced a superb delivery to cut back and clean-bowl Squire for 35 to finish with four for 44 and end a thrilling match. Topcroft took 15 points and Hales 14.

Hales Musker McIntyre Estate Agents MoM: Dan Anderson.

Next, Hales welcome Bradfield to Hales Green. Topcroft visit Beccles.

Topcroft: C Hancock c b Knights 2, M Goodfellow c b Pearce 50, A Ndhlovu c b Rowe 62, C Barber c b Anderson 38, J Goodfellow lbw Anderson 16, T Alexander b Pearce 4, I Todd c-b Hlengani 2, D Reeder run out 17, B Davey lbw Hlengani 0, C Taylor not out 8, R Marshall not out 3; extras 26, Total (9 wkts) 230. Bowling: R Anderson 13-1-46-2, J Knights 4-1-22-1, M Lovick 9-2-34-0, C Hlengani 7-0-23-2, N Pearce 11-0-46-2, S Rowe 6-0-45-1.

Hales: C Hlengani c b Marshall 0, C Anderson lbw Ndhlovu 32, P Squire c b Marshall 10, D Anderson c b Todd 40, A Jones b Todd 4, R Anderson c b Reeder 35, G Squire b Todd 35, M Lovick c b Reeder 2, S Rowe c b Marshall 17, J Knights b Todd 0, N Pearce not out 17; extras 35. Total 230. Bowling: R Marshall 13-4-40-3, T Alexander 3-1-18-0, J Goodfellow 6-1-18-0, I Todd 10.2-1-44-4, A Ndhlovu 11-2-42-1, D Reeder 6-0-39-2.