BLUNDESTON kept their Norfolk League Division Five honours push on course with a hard-earned victory over Sprowston C.

Skipper Graeme Talbot had no hesitation in bowling first on a damp track at the Somerleyton Oval due to overnight rain.

Openers Hampson and Cook dug in early on, could not get the scoreboard moving but managed to keep their wickets intact until drinks at 23 overs when the score had reached 35-0.

Top scorer Hampson 23, tried to hit the next over and Tom Jermy’s debut wicket was eventually caught in the deep by Nick Mobbs. Cook soon followed trying to force a two to the deadly Nick and was run out for nine.

Keene upped the tempo until he was bowled by Dickie Keeler for 22. Dom Gooch then made the most of his late call-up from the 2nd X1 and cleaned out the middle order with a selection of deliveries to take 3 for 17. Elliot Gooch returned to complete the innings with Nick finally holding a catch at gully.

A good fielding performance in the conditions with run-outs by the smiling Talbots, and good catches by the Gooch brothers. Sprowston finished 110 all out in the 45th over.

Lewis and Nick got off to a flying start as normal before Nick was caught at gully off young prospect Clarke for 25.

Graeme Talbot soon followed as he was caught behind off Corcoran for four and Lewis was out caught at mid-off for 28 from Yallop’s third ball to get the middle order wobbling. Elliott hit three fours in his 13 before he was the first of three lbw’s and John Shuttleworth was bowled first ball.

Wickets kept tumbling as Corcoran removed Dom and Yallop removed Martin to leave the score at 79-7, only for Dickie Keeler to roll back the years and hit a quickfire 29no to bring victory in the 31st over.

Yallop got 4-21 and Corcoran 2-21 as the Sprowston bowlers made Blundeston work for the much-needed victory. Next game is away against Colney with the 2nds having their blank week.