Topcroft travelled to Vauxhall Mallards and were disappointed by a narrow defeat by the Norfolk Alliance Premier Division leaders and just eight points from a tense game.

Topcroft travelled to Vauxhall Mallards and were disappointed by a narrow defeat by the Norfolk Alliance Premier Division leaders and just eight points from a tense game.

Topcroft captain Shipley again lost the toss and was asked to bat first on what looked like a good pitch.

After a brief, heavy shower play was able to get under way with Topcroft openers Hancock and Warburton looking to get their off to a good start. Hancock was the first wicket to fall, bowled by Goldsmith for five.

Gunawardene and Baldwin soon followed and Topcroft were in trouble at 41-3.

Shipley came to the crease to join Warburton and the scoring rate began to increase as both batsmen played some attacking shots resulting in boundaries.

Warburton was the next wicket to fall, trapped lbw by Green for 44.

This brought Goodfellow to the crease who, along with Shipley, continued to score runs at a healthy rate.

As Shipley approached his 50, having struck eight fours and a six, he was caught off the bowling of Newton for 48.

Batty was the next wicket to fall for a quickfire 14 before Goodfellow brought up his 50 off 50 balls in 50 minutes.

Davey then fell to the bowling of Young, to bring I Todd to the crease.

Todd and Goodfellow put on 38 for eighth wicket before Goodfellow was caught for a well made 72.

Todd continued to play his shots in partnerships with both Marshall and D Todd, before being bowled for 31.

This meant Topcroft posted 262 all out in the 50th over.

Topcroft knew that tight bowling and fielding was the key to victory, and Marshall and Gunawardene both started well to increase the run rate required.

The first wicket fell when Gunawardene ran out Finney with the score on 18.

Mallards' batsmen Newton and Seager then set about increasing the run rate and both batsmen played some good shots before Seager was removed lbw by Baldwin.

At drinks the required scoring rate had risen to above seven runs per over, but with the size of the home ground all results were still possible.

I Todd was brought into the attack and a tight spell was rewarded with the wicket of Newton, caught by D Todd for 44.

Goldsmith came to the crease to join De Zoysa and these two put on a partnership of 56 to bring Mallards back into the game before De Zoysa was trapped lbw by D Todd for 48.

Goldsmith dominated the bowling to bring up his half-century, but the game was then turned back in Topcroft's favour when Gunawardene bowled Goldsmith with the score on 200.

Biss and Plater put on a quickfire partnership of 26 before Plater was caught by I Todd off the bowling of Marshall to set up a tense finish.

Unfortunately for Topcroft, Biss and new batsman Young continued were Plater had left off, smashing the bowling to all parts of the small ground to win the game for Vauxhall Mallards inside the final over.

This was a disappointing result for Topcroft, but a number of positives can be taken from the game, including the batting performance which saw 262 against the league leaders.

This weekend Topcroft host Lowestoft, who are currently third in the table.

Cunningham's Autos Man of the Match: James Goodfellow.