Acle cricketers look for big finish

Published: 4:26 PM August 27, 2009

Updated: 8:26 PM October 10, 2020

ACLE secured a resounding win at Brooke to strengthen their hold on second position in the Alliance Premier Division. With one game of the cricket season remaining, Acle are poised to register their best-ever finish in Norfolk's top division but face a tricky final-day home fixture against a strong Diss side.

Acle made a positive start as Brooke's decision to bat first backfired. Coach Paul Newman struck two early blows with a pair of perfectly pitched in-swingers clean bowling Habershon and, crucially, overseas player Parikh. At 12-2, Brooke looked to consolidate, however Tom Nudd removed skipper Rob Panter and the in-form Ali Shearer.

Brooke continued to score freely but regular inroads were made by Acle's spin twins Haydn Murray and Shaun Roberts, the latter claiming the last two wickets in consecutive balls to close the innings on 146, with over 10 overs remaining.

Acle's Adam Munford and Rob Porter accumulated sensibly before Munford fell for 14. Murray joined Porter and continued his excellent run of form with a series of excellent shots, raising the scoring rate before Porter fell to a shooter.

Dave Huggins provided further support to the fluent Murray before a leg-stump yorker dismissed Murray one short of a half-century.

Geoff Handley joined Huggins and played several expansive strokes as the pair saw Acle home to a convincing win by seven wickets with 25 overs to spare.