Acle suffer first defeat

Acle suffered their first defeat of the season in disappointing fashion to Vauxhall Mallards in the Alliance Premier Division at Brundall on Saturday.Acle opted to bat first on winning the toss but slumped to 41-6.

Acle suffered their first defeat of the season in disappointing fashion to Vauxhall Mallards in the Alliance Premier Division at Brundall on Saturday.

Acle opted to bat first on winning the toss but slumped to 41-6. Chief tormentor was James Ing who bowled aggressively to finish with figures of six for 47, but too many of Acle's batsmen were complicit in their own downfall.

Dave Huggins and Paul Newman set about rescuing the innings and a 50-run partnership gave the visitors some hope before Newman was lbw for 28. Despite losing Huggins shortly after, Josh Rowe then combined to produce some of the days most enterprising batting in partnership with debutant Tom Nudd.

Rowe top scored with 38 and only a late run out prevented Acle from capturing an unlikely third batting point as they were dismissed for 174.

Acle started brightly with Newman removing Seager early, but Shipley and Arendse consolidated to put Mallards firmly in the driving seat.

Shipley's dismissal, courtesy of another fine spell of leg break bowling from Hayden Murray, opened an avenue of attack for Acle as Mallards' next four batsmen mustered just four runs between them.

With Newman picking up three wickets Acle sensed an opportunity, however Arendse was in ominous touch, bringing up a deserved century with a flurry of boundaries and seeing the home side through to a four-wicket victory.

Whilst the scorecard would suggest that Acle fell victim to a ruthlessly clinical innings from overseas professional Arendse, they should feel disappointed not to have maintained a higher standard of performance throughout the match themselves.

Acle Man of the match: Paul Newman.