Halvergate maintained their position as Alliance Division Five leaders after picking up a good win and maximum points away to Diss A.The Halvergate skipper had little hesitation in choosing to bat first on a hard, flat wicket in glorious conditions.

Halvergate maintained their position as Alliance Division Five leaders after picking up a good win and maximum points away to Diss A.

The Halvergate skipper had little hesitation in choosing to bat first on a hard, flat wicket in glorious conditions.

Luke Hannant got the innings away to a flying start as he crashed a succession of boundaries in the opening overs.

The score had reached 39 after seven overs when the first wicket fell as Clarke was caught for five.

Hannant and Simon Brister continued to score at a good pace and had just reached their 50 partnership when Hannant was dismissed leg before for 57 with the score on 93.

The Diss bowlers had a good period when they managed to slow the scoring. They also picked up a couple more wickets as Hill was caught at mid-on and London was run out by a sharp piece of fielding from the keeper.

Brister also fell soon after when he was caught behind just short of his half-century for 46. At 139-6 a promising total began to look in danger.

But Steve Cooke had useful partnerships with new boy Tim Armstrong and then Shaun Howley to take the score to 190 from 42 overs.

However, the innings turned again when Diss took two quick wickets in the following over. Cooke hit two boundaries in the 44th over to take the score beyond 200 but was left on 27 not out when the final wicket fell and Halvergate were all out for the first time this season.

The Hares knew that they would have to work hard to defend their 203 runs on such a good wicket and quick outfield but again got away to a good start in the field.

Tom Booth and Tim Crane bowled well with Booth blasting through the top order to take three wickets in his opening spell.

The Diss No 3, B Green, had a few rushes of blood early in his innings but started to bat more sensibly and was severe on any loose balls.

However, when K London lured the experienced M Tooke into a false shot, Halvergate had exposed one end and by keeping Green off strike started to take control of the innings.

London plugged away, taking four wickets to remove the Diss middle order and at 103-7 after 30 overs it looked as if the win was out of reach for the home team.

Green was still at the wicket and for a time it looked as if Halvergate would struggle to take the remaining wickets, but Crane eventually got through his defences to have him bowled for 65.

Booth came back into the attack to take his fourth wicket and Crane bowled the last batsman to end the game in the 40th over with the score on 139.

This was another strong bowling and fielding performance to defend what was probably only a par score set with the bat. They will be looking forward to playing at home this week and achieving the double over Topcroft A.

Eden Resourcing MoM: Tom Booth with 4-16 from eight overs.