BECCLES went into the crunch relegation game with Norwich with the confidence of a good result last week at Bradfield and came away with a maximum 25 points from an excellent performance.

BECCLES went into the crunch relegation game with Norwich with the confidence of a good result last week at Bradfield and came away with a maximum 25 points from an excellent performance.

Skipper Sydenham chose to bat, boosted by the returns of David Turrell and Kevin Ross.

Openers Puxley and Porter began to cash in, running Norwich ragged with lots of good running between the wickets. Town had reached 107-0 at drinks.

With the score on 121, Puxley fell for an excellent 60. Ross started his innings confidently.

He and Porter scored at six an over in a stand of 93, before Porter fell just 12 short of his 100 on 88, but with Beccles in a superb position to make the most of the last 10 overs.

However, Beccles lost wickets in a flurry, with Richard Porter (17) followed by Ross (42) and a number of small contributions, Beccles finishing on 265 all out, the highest score at Beef Meadow for several years.

Fisher and Turrell came out and bowled tightly, building the pressure on Norwich's top order. This led to three early wickets. Beccles knew that the wicket of former Norfolk opener Tipping was the crucial one and the introduction of Ruddock did the trick, Tipping going for the big shot and being bowled.

Wickets continued to fall as Ross was introduced to tighten the screw further, Norwich reduced to 81-7.

Some lacklustre fielding gave Norwich the chance to reach 145 but when Fisher took the final wicket of Rashid for 26, there was joy and relief as that elusive first win finally came.

The AGS Home Improvements MoM: Kevin Ross.

Next, Beccles will be at home again, against Sheringham.