Halvergate Cricket Club’s disappointing second half of the season in Norfolk League Division 2E continued when Eaton came to visit.

Skipper Perry Kelf lost the toss and was asked to bat and the scoring started slowly against some straight bowling.

Kelf was caught for five in the seventh over and Sam Utting for five in the 10th over with the score on 15. Graham Morris (11) and opener Stuart Willimott (24) continued the slow progress with 45 runs for three wickets on the board from 25 overs.

Steve Utting (17) was caught trying to push the score along in the 34th over with the score on 69-4 before some late runs from Adam Pitchers (14), Jack Cooley (6), Danny Cook (26 not out) and Simon Burns (two not out) managed to get the Hares up to 125-6 from their 45 overs.

Halvergate struggled to find the boundary, with just five fours recorded during the innings.

After a fine tea, Halvergate were hoping for early wickets but this was not to be. A short rain delay shortly after play started did not help the Hares either until a sharp run-out from Sam Utting to the keeper’s end gave Halvergate some hope.

Butcher (59 not out) and Chambers (34 not out) batted safely to gradually move the score along and Eaton reached their target in the 38th over for the loss of just one wicket.

Halvergate’s bowlers saw returns for Adam Pitchers (0 for 19), Simon Burns (0 for 22), Danny Cook (0 for 20), Graham Harrop (0 for 18), Sam Utting (0 for 17), Stuart WIllimott (0 for 19) and Perry Kelf (0 for 7).

Halvergate remain in sixth place with no chance of promotion or relegation. They visit Aylsham St Giles for the final game of the season Saturday where a win could see them end the season in fourth place while the home side need a victory to stand a chance of going up.

In the Premier Division of the Norfolk Alliance Acle suffered a disappointing three wicket defeat to Horsford A at Manor Park.

They were dismissed for just 141, with last pair Craig Press (33) and Josh Rowe (27) getting them up to something approaching defendable after Jas Cheema had earlier scored 33.But the modest total wasn’t enough as Horsford finished on 145-7.

Acle, who are poised for a respectable mid-table finish, host Garboldisham in their final game (12.30pm).