Halvergate (8pts) drew with Rocklands (18) in the Lovewell Blake Norfolk Alliance Division Five.They fell short of the large target set for them, 254-6, but held out for a losing draw at 189-8.

Halvergate (8pts) drew with Rocklands (18) in the Lovewell Blake Norfolk Alliance Division Five.

They fell short of the large target set for them, 254-6, but held out for a losing draw at 189-8.

Rocklands were asked to bat first and suffered an early setback as Tim Crane made the most of some early swing to have one of the openers caught behind.

But this was the last Hares' success for a while as new batsman W Defoe started to dominate. He and L Abel put on 94 until Abel was bowled by Alan Booth for 38. Defoe continued to score freely although the Halvergate bowlers picked up a couple of wickets.

Defoe's classy innings, which included 23 fours and a six, finally ended as Pat Hill had him caught

for 140.

Halvergate were left to rue a series of dropped catches. The strong wind didn't help the bowlers and fielding, but this performance fell short of the standards set the previous week.

S Clarke and D Cook got the Halvergate reply away to a good start and began to score comfortably. They had put on 71 in 14 overs before Cook was bowled for 24.

Clarke passed his 50 for the second week in succession but was run out soon after for 59. Both Jon Gill and Pat Hill made starts but were dismissed for 17 and 13 respectively.

Kelvin London was batting sensibly, but three wickets fell in quick succession at the other end to effectively ended any chance the Hares had of chasing down the Rocklands total.

James Howley and Tom Booth partnered London to see out the remaining overs and earn a losing draw for the home team. Credit goes to Mike for preparing a superb wicket which unfortunately the opposition made best use of.

After two games, Halvergate find themselves fourth in the league and will be looking to consolidate this position away at Topcroft this weekend.

Winterton picked up maximum points winning at home to Hardingham by 98 runs to remain the early leaders of Norfolk League Division One.

They were put into bat on a green-looking wicket but Wes Noble-Parker (62) and Bryn Clarke (52) shared 130 for the first wicket.

Both fell in quick succession but 82 runs in the final 10 overs thanks to Geoff Roper (47 not out), Martin Witheridge (35) and Ben Webb - making his Winterton league debut - (12 not out). Winterton's 240 for three ensured maximum batting points for the second week in succession.

Hardingham's bowlers struggled to maintain a good line and length and had little luck beating the bat. And when they did find the edge the ball often failed to find a fielder. Their opening bowler S Meikle pulled up with a bad back in his second over, playing no further part in the game with bat or ball.

The visitors lost their first wicket in the first over as Ben Utting bowled O Howes for a duck, but the experienced Barnie Goodrum (42) and Robbie Fowle (37) steadily rebuilt the Hardingham innings.

The introduction of Tom Roper reaped immediate rewards as he removed Fowle and J Goodrum in successive balls to leave Hardingham on 67 for three.

Despite the gritty Barnie Goodrum hanging around, he failed to get support and Hardingham were all out for 142, Tom Roper 3-29 and Tom Whichelow 3-30.

WINTERTONA, despite a brave batting performance on a difficult pitch, lost by five wickets at Sprowston A in Norfolk League Division Four.

After being put into bat K Lawes and K Drewitt both fell to full length balls from the erratic left-armer, Askham. Young A Splelman played his shots freely until he played on for 16.

James Stanhope-Smith returned to form with two stylish sixes off Evans. But the real hero was the experienced Mark Hambrook who provided the backbone of the Winterton total with 47.

The performance in the field fell short of the usual Winterton standards. Too many extras were given away and the bowlers all seemed to struggle to find any pace. Sprowston smoothly approached the target without alarm, Spilling making a patient 44.

Lessons to be learned, giving away almost 50 runs in extras over the first two games will compromise efforts to win matches. On slow pitches bowlers must pitch the ball up to the bat to have a chance of success. Spirits do remain high within the team and they look forward to the next challenge.

Fisherman's Return MoM: Mark Hambrook for a brilliant 47.

Rollesby (68-3) continued their Norfolk League Division One campaign with another local derby, this time visiting the Beaconsfield to play Yarmouth (66).

Alger again elected to bowl first, and D Cook and J Flett bowled excellent opening spells, with Cook dismissing S Ruddick for three. Sole joined Nicholls, who was combining defence with attack, deciding to throw the bat at anything pitched up. They took the score to 30, before Nicholls (17) pulled one onto his stumps and he was soon followed by C Thompson (0) and M Sole (6), to leave Yarmouth 36-4.

Thompson and skipper Fitzsimmons survived Flett's remaining overs as he finished with figures of 3-30, an excellent return bowling into a strong wind.

Thompson greeted B England with two fours from his first two deliveries, then perished as England deceived him with a low, full toss for a belligerent 18. England accounted for R Ruddick with a sensational caught and bowled and Yarmouth were 55-6.

Fitzsimmons kept out a fiery spell from Alger but eventually succumbed for a dogged two. This exposed the tail and Alger ruthlessly dispatched it, taking Vickers (4), White (0) and Oxborough (0) is successive deliveries, leaving the home side 66 all out.

This was an excellent performance in the field, with all the bowlers contributing (D Cook 1-8, J Flett

3-30, B England 2-18 and Alger

4-4) and receiving great support from the fielders.

Layton was in good form and with Alger took the score to 22 without too many alarms. Layton misjudged a White delivery and was bowled for 17 and when Alger (8) and Duxbury (5) soon followed, leaving Rollesby 34-3, Yarmouth's hopes of an unlikely victory were rekindled.

However, the experienced J Browning (22no) and in-form

Chaney (13no), ensured no further slip-ups occurred, with Chaney securing victory with successive fours to ensure another impressive victory.

Filby King's Head MoM: C Alger (6.2-4-3-4, including a hat-trick).

ROLLESBY visited Sheringham in the Mid Norfolk R J Bidewell Divison Three, but received a chastening experience at the hands of a youthful side.

Rollesby elected to bat first and were soon in trouble as P Cook (1), Price (5) and Ryles (5) all perished. Gerdes briefly threatened to take the attack to the home side, but was a victim of a run out for 12, and when D Cook fell for two, Rollesby were in deep trouble.

However, M Browning and B England began to get Rollesby back into the game before England was bowled for 19. Browning continued to show restraint and received support from C Alger (10) and Sparkes (10), before perishing for 54. Brothers Barnden, William (two not out) and Henry (one not out) took the total score to 138-9.

It was never enough as J Moy and J Taylor batted with ease. Moy was the only man dismissed, for an excellent 96, looking to win the match and bring up his century in the grand manner, however, he was trapped lbw by Price. Neeve (four not out) joined Taylor (39 not out) to secure an emphatic victory with overs and wickets in hand.

Filby King's Head MoM: M Browning (54).

ROLLESBY A entertained Hemsby in a Norfolk League Division Six derby and won by 42 runs.

Rollesby, asked to bat first, lost their first wicket in only the second over, Price (2). Catchpole and Fakes put on 76, before Fakes had to retire hurt on 29. Liam Payne replaced him and with Catchpole took the second- wicket partnership to 115 before Payne (23) edged one off Pugh.

Websdale (2) did not say long. Peter Clarke (6) was next to depart,

run out.

Barnden (3no) and Catchpole took the score to 190 before Catchpole (100) perished on the final delivery of the innings, caught by Shepherd in the deep off Pugh.

It brought to an end a wonderful innings from the little maestro, who reached his century off the penultimate ball with a massive six, having plundered of total of 26 runs off the final over bowled by Pugh.

His century contained 17 fours and two sixes and Rollesby completed their innings on 190 for fives.

Hemsby's Hudson and Colclough despatched Websdale and Pearce around the park, taking 56 runs off the opening six overs, before Rollesby skipper Pearce decided on a double bowling change, switching to spinners Catchpole and John Clarke.

The move paid off instantly with the big-hitting openers both falling within three balls in Clarke's first over, Hudson (25) being smartly stumped by Fakes and Colclough (38) caught by Websdale in the deep.

Catchpole had Boylan (1) caught by the diving Payne in the slips and suddenly Hemsby started to wobble, losing three wickets for only one run. Clarke removed Perry (12) caught by Fakes, before Catchpole started weaving his magic.

The next five wickets all fell to the off-spinner with Bradnock (5), Shepherd (12) and Seago (0) all being clean bowled.

Then Cossey (12) was caught by Pearce, before Taylor (0) was caught by Websdale to leave Hemsby teetering at 125 for nine.

Whatmough continued to hit out and took his score to 43 not out before losing his final partner Pugh (0), clean bowled by Gerdes with the final score on 148.

Jimmy Catchpole 12-2-30-6 and John Clarke 12-1-42-3 were pick of the Rollesby bowlers.

This was another good team performance.

Rollesby Bingo Club man-of-the-match: Jimmy Catchpole, for

his swashbuckling century (100)

and his match-winning bowling performance of six wickets.