TOPCROFT CC took the local derby honours when they made the short trip to Beccles.Topcroft took 20 points from the match and the home side just one as Topcroft romped home with seven wickets and 26.

TOPCROFT CC took the local derby honours when they made the short trip to Beccles.

Topcroft took 20 points from the match and the home side just one as Topcroft romped home with seven wickets and 26.5 overs to spare.

Topcroft skipper Chris Hancock won the toss and asked the opposition to bat first.

Rob Marshall and Ian Todd opened the bowling and both showed excellent discipline as Beccles struggled to get the ball away.

Marshall struck first when he had Jon Puxley (1) caught behind by Chris Taylor. Todd then removed Kevin Ross (2) caught at point by Paul Holmes.

After 16 overs, Beccles had reached 360-2 when Hancock replaced both his bowlers.

Ndhlovu and James Goodfellow were introduced to the attack and continued where the openers had

left off, bowling with great control.

It was a sharp piece of fielding though by Ian Todd that took the third wicket, when a short single was attempted only for Richard to run out his brother Robert Porter for 18.

At 63-3 it soon became 80-7 as Topcroft ripped through the Beccles middle order.

Paul Holmes took his second catch of the game as he caught Richard Porter (9) off James Goodfellow before the latter clean bowled Beccles captain Alex Sydenham (9).

Ndhlovu then quickly removed Ian Ruddock (2), stunningly caught by a one-handed diving catch by Matt Goodfellow at point, and then he removed Rob Clemence for 10.

Beccles then tried to bat out as many overs a possible but Topcroft soon wrapped up the innings as Goodfellow claimed another two wickets to finish with 4-35.

David Turrell (9) was trapped lbw and M Fisher (13) was well taken by keeper Taylor. Ian Todd returned to take the final wicket as D George was clean bowled for six.

Beccles finished on just 111 all out from 45.3 overs. Topcroft only used the four bowlers, Marshall (1-22), Todd (2-21),

Ndhlovu (2-29) and Goodfellow (4-35) were all well backed up in the field in a good display.

In reply, openers Chris Hancock and Matt Goodfellow got off to a very positive start chasing the small total.

From 12 overs Topcroft had reached 46 when Goodfellow (11) was caught off Ross.

Hancock then made a surprise move by promoting resident number 11 Rob Marshall up the order to number three.

The move turned out to be a good one, as Marshall played some delightful strokes, including one whip through mid-wicket for four.

Hancock was continuing the play positively the other end until he fell for a well-made 27, caught off Fisher for 27.

With only eight required, Marshall (25) was caught by Sydenham, taking his third catch, off Fisher.

Ndhlovu smashed a huge six off Ross and then James Goodfellow hit the winning runs with a four, to leave Topcroft comfortable winners by seven wickets.

This week Topcroft play host to league leaders Sprowston while Beccles visit Bradfield.

Beccles Town: RC Porter run out I Todd 18, J Puxley c C Taylor b R Marshall 1, K Ross c P Holmes b I Todd 2, RJ Porter c P Holmes b J Goodfellow 14, A Sydenham b J Goodfellow 9, R Clemence c C Hancock b A Ndhlovu 10, I Ruddock c M Goodfellow b A Ndhlovu 2, D Turrell lbw J Goodfellow 9, M Fisher c C Taylor b J Goodfellow 13, D George b I Todd 6, G Wright not out 3; extras 24. Total (45.3 overs) 111. Bowling: R Marshall 12-3-22-1, I Todd 10.3-1-21-2, A Ndhlovu 11-2-29-2, J Goodfellow 12-1-35-4.

Topcroft: C Hancock c A Sydenham b M Fisher 27, M Goodfellow c A Sydenham b K Ross 11, R Marshall c A Sydenham b M Fisher 25, A Ndhlovu not out 34, J Goodfellow not out 4; extras 13. Total (27.1 overs) 114-3. Bowling: D Turrell 6-1-28-0, M Fisher 13-3-45-2, K Ross 8-1-30-1, D George 0.1-0-4-0.