Great Yarmouth made it four wins from four on Saturday with a seven-wicket home victory over East Harling.

The visiting captain won the toss and, under clear blue skies, had no hesitation in deciding to bat first. Yarmouth suffered an early blow with opener Ellis injuring an ankle in his first over and, despite trying to continue and taking an early wicket, was forced out of the attack after three overs.

Pickerill and Seymour kept the innings moving at a good rate and had taken the score to 46 before Pickerill (20) was caught behind off Ruddick (1-40). Seymour continued with Hilton and when drinks were taken after 23 overs the visitors were well placed at 87-2.

The game turned with the introduction of Shales as he and Shreeve shut down the visiting batsmen with the next 10 overs yielding just 24 runs. The pressure was bound to tell and wickets started to fall. Hilton (42) was first to go, caught and bowled by Shales before Seymour (35) went the following over trapped leg before by Johnston (1-34). Shales then made it three wicket maidens in a row, removing Fisher (0) and Scott (7) well caught in the deep by Ruddick. Shales (4-15) struck again in the final over of the innings as East Harling closed on 171-7.

The Yarmouth reply started briskly with Hak showing his attacking flair. With strong support from Fitzsimmons the Yarmouth openers raced past 50.

Hak (50) completed his half century but was then caught on the boundary and Yarmouth were 64-1. Another wicket fell quickly and then Fitzsimmons (35) became the third leg before victim of the day. Thompson and Ruddick both batted sensibly to close in on the victory target and never allowed the required rate to get away from them. The Yarmouth pair saw the home side to the win with Thompson finishing 33 not out and Ruddick 45 not out.

Despite the win Yarmouth lost their place at the top of the table as Sprowston B picked up more bonus points in their victory and now lead by a solitary point.

The two side meet in a top-of-the- table clash tomorrow with undefeated Rollesby waiting to capitalise on any slip-ups.

Apollo Tavern Men of the Match – Shared by Trevor Shales 11-7-15-4 and Simon Ruddick 45 not out.

Great Yarmouth A won their first league game of the season on Saturday, defeating Norwich Bystanders A by 24 runs.

Despite fielding what appeared to be a weakened side Yarmouth travelled to Norwich with enthusiasm. Losing the toss Yarmouth had no option but to bat first and at 50-3 after 22 overs the best they could hope for was a reasonable target to bowl at. However a change of bowling by Bystanders brought rewards for Yarmouth. Helped by a total of 40 extras and sensible batting by Nicholls (93 not out) and Kitchen (46 not out) Yarmouth reached 213-4 off their allotted 45 overs. Bystanders started strongly and at 80 without loss off 15 overs Yarmouth knew they needed a breakthrough. This came with a good mid-wicket catch by Evans. This set the tone and with further catches being taken, along with economical bowling and a run out by Lokesh, Bystanders were struggling at 148-9 off 40 overs. However a last wicket stand of 40 took the game into the last over with Bystanders all out for 189.

From teenagers to veteran this was a good team performance and Yarmouth’s original enthusiasm was rewarded. Sensible batting ensured all 45 overs were used up producing a defendable score. This was followed up by good bowling from Lokesh, Cockrill, Subbu and Kitchen (6-40) and some good catches being held. Yarmouth fully deserved their first win of the season and can now build on this success and look forward to the rest of the season.

Apollo Tavern Man of the Match – Paul Kitchen for his 46 not out and 6-40.