Second-placed Topcroft beat Swaffham in Division Two of the Norfolk Alliance.
On a very green wicket at Swaffham, Topcroft won the toss and elected the bowl, with the hosts all out for 75. James Nobbs took 3-29 with two wickets apiece for Gregory Rostron and James Prewer-Andrews.
In reply, Topcroft reached their target for the loss of three wickets after 22.4 overs. Ben Baldwin top-scored with 44 not out.
Topcroft A’s excellent five-game unbeaten run was clinically ended by league leaders Denver.
Denver scored 271 for six, but Topcroft’s reply after tea was in sharp contrast. Gone was the bright sunshine, replaced by muggy overcast cloudy conditions.
Topcroft struggled to 29 for two, which quickly became 29 for three. The middle order rallied with good contributions from M Talbot (28), G Talbot (32) and Luke Wheeler (40) making the total a lot more respectable.
The Ellis brothers’ last-wicket stand of 33 was a reminder to Denver that they were in a game, C Ellis (26) looking every part the batsman as he expertly played shots to every corner of the ground. The match ultimately ended on 192, 80 short of what would have been victory.
Topcroft Ladies travelled to Brooke Ladies, who batted first and scored 137. Opening the batting were Sara Worley (20) and Sarah Banns (30) who started strongly until Olivia Williams bowled Sara. Sarah and Maureen Ellis (13 not out) then continued to bat well with Sarah retiring and Maureen batting all the way through with Flo Allen (13) getting some more runs till getting caught by Charlotte Casey off Charlotte Utting. Joanne Dewhurst (7 not out) came in to finish off the game for an eight-wicket win.
The Sunday Colts faced Rocklands and batted first, making 176 – as did their opponents in a game that ended in a tie.
The Under 9s played Bungay at Maltings Meadow. Batting first Topcroft started well with Jayden (20) and Brodie (1) putting on 32 without loss. A late flurry of runs took the total to 330 for two net 322. The young Bungay team struggled against the tight bowling from Topcroft. Wickets were spread around with Oliver taking three wickets in one over. Jayden, James, Kieran and Brodie all took two wickets. Bungay ended on 248-12 net 200, for a fine Topcroft win which sees them top of their Norfolk Alliance Group.
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