ACLE travelled to Runcton in search of another positive result after the previous week's winning draw against Topcroft. But Runcton, needing one to win off the final delivery, were gifted a no-ball.

ACLE travelled to Runcton in search of another positive result after the previous week's winning draw against Topcroft. But Runcton, needing one to win off the final delivery, were gifted a no-ball.

Acle were extremely disappointed with the Alliance Premier Division result and let themselves down badly in the field, but were not helped with injuries to Franks and Newman.

The next game is at home to Old Buckenham tomorrow, a game which Acle must win in order to stay in touch with the leaders and draw away from the drop zone.

Acle won the toss at Runcton and elected to bat on what looked a decent track on a baking hot day.

The Runcton opening bowlers found some movement and lift in the pitch early on, but Porter and Munford batted sensibly, picking off the loose balls and seeing off the new ball.

The Acle openers have recently managed to put on numerous 50-plus partnerships but have been unable to go on and post big individual scores, and this proved to be no exception.

With the score on 58 Porter edged a ball onto his pad which then rolled back to dislodge the bails. Matty Short joined Munford but rather than consolidate the Acle opener again went for one shot too many too early and was caught at mid-on for 25 off Jefferson.

Tom Wilson set about consolidating and looked in good nick. He and Short cautiously set about rebuilding, picking off ones with good running between the wickets. However, the unlucky Wilson (18) fell victim of a lifting ball from spinner Pipkin and the ball looped up to Hemeter at short mid-wicket.

The reshuffled Acle batting order saw Paul Newman bat at five and he and Short sensibly consolidated again, something which Acle have lacked in previous weeks. The pair had looked in no trouble at all and took the score up to 157 when Newman was caught by Cubitt off overseas player Kgmadi for 25.

Paul Munford played a brief cameo, smashing Kgmadi out of the ground for two sixes before being caught behind off Jefferson. Darren Ward followed and a combination of excellent running and good stroke play saw the pair put on 37.

After Ward was caught off Bunting, Josh Rowe smashed his first ball faced for a huge straight six, and with one or two more runs added the Acle innings finished on 238-7 with Matty Short carrying his bat for an impressive 87 not out.

Acle were pleased that their reshuffled batting order had done a good job but knew they would need to work hard in the hot sunshine in order to defend their total.

Runcton got off to a dream start and seemed to be able to score with ease off the Acle opening bowlers Newman and Rowe.

Grady replaced Newman for a brief two overs but it was obvious that Acle needed to take the pace off the ball and Franks and Porter began to operate in tandem.

Acle's first wicket came with the score on 87, Coete run out by Ward for 44. This seemed to spark Acle into life and they then removed Brown (0) caught behind off Porter.

Hemeter (22) provided the support to Jefferson until he was bowled by Porter. Runcton were now 117-3 and the run rate was creeping up. However, Jefferson and Kgmadi continued to pick off relatively easy runs on the fast outfield assisted by some very poor Acle ground fielding.

However, Matty Short replaced Franks and trapped Jefferson (66) lbw in his first over.

By the stage Runcton needed eight an over, but Kgmadi (63), assisted by Pipkin (11) and Crisp (17) took the score up to 233-5 and Runcton needed six off the last over which Grady was to bowl. It all went down to that last ball.