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Acle spirit may be in vain

Matches played on 21 August 2010: round-up by special correspondent Phil Banyard of the Eastern Daily Press.

Relegation battlers Acle conjured a spirited winning draw at Brooke on Saturday - but it may not be enough for them to avoid dropping out of the Premier Division.

Paul Munford (82) and his brother Adam (57) produced a fourth wicket stand of 105 to put Acle in charge and David Huggins added 55. Ali Shearer (54) and Rahul Dewan (49) responded well for Brooke, but they were pegged back by Acle skipper Shaun Roberts, who claimed three for 33.

The result leaves Acle 18 points behind both Brooke and Cromer going into the final weekend, after Cromer went a long way towards saving themselves with a four-wicket win over Lowestoft.

Michael Warnes led Cromer to victory with an unbeaten 82 after Joe Larter fired 55 for Lowestoft.

Top honours of the day went to relegated Old Buckenham, who won for the first time this year by inflicting a first defeat of the season on champions Downham. Robbie Austin took five for 31 as Downham were bowled out for 166 and Ian Harrison then hit 84no to lead Bucks to a three-wicket win.

North Runcton held on to the runners-up spot despite a losing draw at Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers. Pite van Biljon smashed 101 for Wanderers, while Runcton skipper Paul Jefferson claimed five for 60. Half-centuries from Christiaan Jonker (58) and Sean Hemeter (73) kept the visitors in the hunt, but they ultimately fell just short of reaching 90pc of their target and a greater share of the points.

Diss did manage to secure a 90pc losing draw at home to Vauxhall Mallards A. Rayno Arendse hit 95 for Mallards and although Steve Goldsmith followed up with four for 29, Diss' Chris Cooper (50) pushed his side close.

In Division One, champions Sprowston are one match away from completing an unblemished season after their winning draw at home to Topcroft.

The hosts recovered from five for two to post an imposing total, with Tim Hales (73) and Geoff Roff (76) the main contributors, Rob Marshall finishing with four for 66. Ian Todd (69no) staved off defeat for Topcroft, despite the best efforts of Sprowston bowlers Pankog Biswas, Tom Rose and Roff, who took two wickets each.

Stow's hopes of securing promotion on Saturday were dashed by a two-wicket defeat at Bradenham, despite Dammika Perera's five for 33.

That allowed third-placed Swardeston A to close the gap to eight points as they thrashed Sheringham by 205 runs at The Common. Steve Cadge hit an unbeaten 87 for Swardeston before Sheringham were destroyed by Tim Price, who took six for 29, sending the visitors tumbling into the relegation zone.

Beccles, who have been bottom of the table all season, raised hopes of a miraculous escape with a maximum points win at home to relegation rivals Bradfield. Steve Bidewell made 60 for Bradfield, with David Turrell (four for 36) and Mike Fisher (four for 41) sharing the bowling honours for Beccles. Richard Porter then hit 92 as Beccles wrapped up a three-wicket win to leave them 12 points from safety.

Martin Greiller's 97 put Norwich A on course for an 88-run win at Hales, despite Matthew Lovick's four for 63.

Saxlingham clinched promotion from Division Two with a maximum points win against champions Mattishall, Anthony Pearson hitting 80no.

Dereham are not yet clear of relegation danger after they lost by 47 runs at Saham Toney. Simon Mower fired 73 for the hosts, with Dereham's Jake Anema taking four for 50.

Swardeston B kept their survival hopes alive with a winning draw against Downham A. Kevin Cooper's 98no gave Swardeston the upper hand and Downham opted against chasing their target as opener Warren Bowman made 59no, with Kurt Richards adding 48.

North Runcton A's four-wicket defeat at home to Hillington saw them relegated. Ally Price hit 105no for the hosts and Keiran Bunting then took five for 32, but Anthony Dobing's 88 put Hillington on course for victory.

Will Dunger's six for 33 handed Fakenham A a 35-run win at Garboldisham.

Tas' title as duo chase second place

Hethersett & Tas Valley secured the Division Three title - but the race for the second promotion spot will go down to the wire.

Tas' winning draw at home to Swaffham was enough to clinch top spot, with John Curtis hitting 64.

Who joins them in Division Two next year is still to be decided, after contenders Horsford A and Great Witchingham A both recorded wins.

Horsford A won by two wickets at Ashmanhaugh. Chris Nation made 67 for the hosts, with spinner Chris Browne taking six for 51. Jamie Heyburn then hit 76 for Horsford.

Witchingham A's Dennis Rogers claimed five for 28 to restrict Mundford to a small total, which Witchingham overhauled with five wickets down to relegate Mundford.

Kirkley & Lowestoft Railway recorded a crucial six-wicket win at relegation rivals Thetford.

Great Melton are four points away from claiming the Division Four title after sealing promotion with a maximum points win at Norwich B. Richard Wood (74) and Marcus Godbold (90no) starred for Melton, before Matthew Gyton (77) top scored for Norwich, Mark Scott taking four for 38.

Sprowston A still have work to do to secure promotion after losing to nearest rivals Old Buckenham A by 86 runs. James Alexander hit 63 for Buckenham, before Ben Mann (four for 25) secured a victory which closed the gap between the sides to six points. Will Hampson made 51 for Sprowston.

Narborough also remain in contention after their winning draw at home to Bungay, in which Mick Broad smashed 145no and Peter Green was unbeaten on 68.

Bradenham A beat Hardingham by three wickets, with key contributions coming from Ian Brown (three for 17), Will Dewing (three for 34), Ian Gibb (63) and Kevin Denmark (40no).

Aldborough's Mike Cramp took six for 40 to condemn Halvergate to a four-wicket defeat which leaves them flirting with the drop zone.

Division Five champions Cromer A beat Stow A by one wicket, Alex Craske taking four for 26 for Cromer before Stow's Simon Cooke claimed four for 27 to ensure a tight finish.

Hethersett & Tas Valley A's four-wicket win at Rocklands clinched them promotion, Steve Hayes (52) and Lee King (54) hitting half-centuries for Tas. Les Abel made 60 for Rocklands.

Matthew Clarke (85no) led Great Melton A to a six-wicket win over Brooke A, who had a century from Michael Warner (103no).

Swardeston-CEYMS secured promotion from Division Six with a 66-run victory over Mundford A. Rob Ebbage hit 108 and Jason Reynolds took four for 29 for Swardeston.

Keith Hubbard took four for 15 and Richard Gostling hit an unbeaten 51 as Mattishall A moved to within four points of also going up with a 10-wicket win over Saxlingham A.

Nick Warnes blasted 127 for Beccles A, but half-centuries from Chris Taylor (64) and Kevin Ridley (74) allowed Topcroft A to take a 90pc losing draw.

Paul Feveryear bagged five for 34 in Garboldisham A's 15-run win at Lowestoft A.

Thetford A moved out of the relegation zone with a nine-wicket win at Bradfield A, Matthew Kerling firing 97no and Nick Shepherd adding 72, after Bradfield's Anthony Robinson made 55.