Veteran left-hander Milton Lindsay laid the foundations for Hales and Loddon’s third win in the last four games in Norfolk Alliance Division Six with a battling half-century in a hard-earned victory over Diss A.

Lindsay’s defiant 76 containing seven fours was the mainstay of H&L’s competitive-looking 159 total in a game reduced to 35 overs per side because of rain.

After being put into bat on a well-prepared Rectory Meadow track Lindsay and opening partner Martin Wells made a brisk start with a flurry of early boundaries in the nine overs possible before a downpour halted play with 41 on the scoreboard. When play was eventually resumed after an extended tea interval Lindsay and Wells continued to bat with authority before the partnership was broken when the big-hitting Wells holed out for 38 to Andrew Paine at long-off off the tantalising slow bowling of veteran Dave Cox.

Skipper Isaac Rolph maintained the momentum with a typically no-nonsense 18 before being bowled by spinner Ross Gudde. Mark Stewart’s fleeting appearance at the crease ended on one, bowled trying to play a forcing shot to a delivery from the wily Cox. Auldwyn Lindsay (8 not out) and Milton Lindsay took the score to 159 before Milton Lindsay was run out for 76 trying to manufacture a single from the final delivery of the innings.

H&L were given the perfect start with the ball when the fired-up Rolph claimed the key wicket of renowned anchorman Andy Gregory, smartly caught at second slip by Stewart for a duck. Andrew Horobin and youngster George Paine put the reply back on track with some big hitting before Horobin was bowled for 22 by an inswinging delivery from Oakley Elsom.

The young paceman also had Paine caught in the deep by Auldwyn Lindsay for a chancy 33. The dangerous Andrew Paine was caught at deep mid-wicket for nine by a tumbling Rolph off the bowling of Wells. James Skilleter was left to keep Diss hopes alive but when he was run out for a gritty 26 the odds tilted heavily in H&L’s favour. Resistance crumbled and H&L wrapped up a 35-run win in the 35th over to move into mid-table with three matches to play.

Musker McIntyre Man of the Match: Milton Lindsay.

Hales and Loddon are at home to near neighbours Topcroft A tomorrrow (1pm).