Halvergate got their Norfolk League Division Two East season off to an excellent start at Southwold on Saturday.

Skipper Perry Kelf lost the toss and was asked to bat. James Howley (32) started positively despite losing Steve Utting (0) and Michael Handley (12) and Halvergate were 46 for 3 in the 14th over.

Ross Sanders (68) and Perry Kelf (37) punished any loose balls in a 98 run partnership that moved Halvergate to 144 for 4 in the 33rd over.

Stuart Willimott (4), Danny Cook (18 not out), Graham Morris (1), Sam Utting (3), Adam Pitchers (0) and Graham Harrop (0 not out) saw out the Halvergate innings to reach tea at 183-9.

Sadly Southwold’s Stefan Cufford broke his thumb in the second over keeping wicket and had to go to hospital, meaning a substitute fielded throughout.

After an excellent tea Southwold put on 66 runs for the first wicket when Stuart Willimott trapped Gareth Gorst-Allman leg before for 36 in the 19th over.

Sam Booker (13) and Jason Hall (13) supported young Ezra Fuller (59) in moving the score to 130 for 3 off 35 overs but with the required run rate slowly creeping up the wickets started to fall and Southwold were dismissed for 159, 24 runs short of their target.

Despite four dropped catches, Halvergate worked well together bowling and fielding and the bowler’s returns were: Dany Cook 1 for 24, Adam Pitchers 2 for 19, Sam Utting 0 for 40, Stuart Willimott 2 for 33 and Graham Harrop 4 for 36.

There were catches for Danny Cook, Stuart Willimott, Michael Handley and Ross Sanders.

Halvergate start the season with 25 league points and look forward to entertaining Sprowston B at the Queen Elizabeth II playing field on Saturday (2pm).

In the top flight Great Yarmouth were involved in a tight opening game against Kirkley and Belton.

They could only make 138-8 but defended the total well and Kirkley and Belton lost seven wickets before eding to victory.

Winterton’s new under-11 side started their first season with an away fixture at a very strong Bradfield CC side who ended the game as victors.

Training for any nine to 11-year-olds is on Wednesdays from 6.15 to 7.30pm at Hemsby Playing Field.

Winterton CC are also taking part in the all stars cricket initiative with sessions starting on May 31 from 5.30 to 6.30pm.