ACLE progressed beyond the first round of the Carter Cup for the first time in seven years with a comprehensive 171-run win over Dereham on Sunday.After their opening day league win, Acle were in confident mood and chose to bat first.

ACLE progressed beyond the first round of the Carter Cup for the first time in seven years with a comprehensive 171-run win over Dereham on Sunday.

After their opening day league win, Acle were in confident mood and chose to bat first. Openers Rob Porter and Adam Mundford got Acle off to an excellent start, with Mundford looking particularly fluent as he raced to 50 within the first 20 overs.

The introduction of slower bowlers pegged Acle back somewhat with Head picking up three wickets in quick succession for the visiting side.

At lunch Acle had stuttered after their excellent start to 133-4 with 25 overs remaining.

In the afternoon session, however, the home team initially consolidated through skipper Paul Mundford and youngster Tom Wilson and then accelerated as Dereham wilted in heat.

Paul Newman marked his early impact on the side with a display of powerful hitting and both he and Mundford reached half-centuries as Acle took the game beyond their opposition.

With Handley providing final impetus during a brief cameo in the last few overs Acle reached an imposing total of 273-7 after their 60 overs.

Acle's bowlers put Dereham under pressure from the start and Josh Rowe picked up a couple of deserved wickets while Jon Lee continued his fine early-season form without the luck to go with it.

Only Eastoe-Smith offered any resistance with a well crafted 51 providing half of Dereham's final total.

Rob Porter enjoyed a long spell of bowling either side of tea, providing the home side with four wickets, and Josh Rowe added two further wickets to finish with a credible 4-25 as Acle wrapped up a comfortable win shortly after tea.

With the positive influence of new coach Paul Newman to the fore, Acle are looking forward to consolidating their position in the Alliance Premier Division this season as well as enjoying a long overdue run in the Carter Cup.

As usual the support provided to the team both home and away is a vital and appreciated element of the side's success.

The man-of-the-match award, sponsored by Paul High, went to captain Paul Mundford for his well-constructed 63.