Topcroft picked up just seven points from the game against Acle and will have to be prepared for a stern test when reigning champions Downham Market visit this weekend.

Topcroft picked up just seven points from the game against Acle and will have to be prepared for a stern test when reigning champions Downham Market visit this weekend.

Topcroft hosted Acle in a match sponsored by R Charlish of Bungay.

They spent the first few hours of the afternoon watching Acle warm up in the rain before it eventually brightened up and it was agreed that a reduced 35-overs game would be played. Home captain Shipley won the toss and elected to field in overcast conditions.

Topcroft could not have wished for a better start as, with the first ball of the match, Marshall found the edge of danger man Porter's bat and stand-in keeper Hancock safely pouched the catch. Topcroft soon found more success as frustration got the better of Franks who guided a good-length Gunawardene ball straight to Shipley at gully.

This left Acle in a predicament at 9-2, with Short and Munford looking to rebuild. They did so with little risk until Munford was ran out for 17 and Huggins followed soon after, run out for 1.

At 67-4, Newman and short began to open up and had taken the score to 149 when Newman was well taken in the deep by Baldwin off the bowling of Ian Todd. Warburton then clean bowled Short to leave the visitors 165-6.

P Munford and Wilson batted the remaining overs out and Acle set a challenging 176 for victory.

Special mention must go to stand-in keeper Hancock who conceded no byes, with Marshall the pick of the bowlers.

Topcroft's reply didn't get off to the best of starts with Baldwin being clean bowled for three, and soon after Gunawardene caught behind for one.

At 15-2, Warburton and Shipley needed to rebuild. They did this successfully moving the score onto 51 with Warburton in particular severe on anything loose.

Disaster struck though as two wickets in quick succession dented Topcroft's hopes. First Warburton was bowled off an inside edge for 26, with Shipley following for 12.

Hancock did not last long, skying an attempted hook to square leg for one.

Holmes was caught at mid-wicket trying to up the rate for 11, and Batty followed soon after for five, offering a return catch to the impressive Lee.

Goodfellow and Todd batted sensibly to leave them needing 10 runs off the last over for a third batting point.

Goodfellow was dropped off the first ball, picked up a two through mid-wicket, and a boundary over mid-on, followed by a quick single - leaving three required from two balls.

Todd charged the aggressive Grady and cut him through point and achieved the three runs required. The innings finished on 110-7 with Goodfellow not out on 36 and Todd not out on four.

Cunningham's Auto man of the match: James Goodfellow.