Kirkley & Belton hosted Sandringham at Gunton Park in the top flight of the Norfolk League on Saturday and were beaten by 83 runs.

Captain Saj Ali won the toss and put the opposition team in to bat on a seaming a hard track but Sandringham’s opening batsmen dug in and were helped by some poor fielding, with chances not being taken.

Sandringham scored 246 runs in their 45 overs with the loss of only five wickets. Captain Ali took 2-61 for Kirkley & Belton while Richard Hurst, with 66 runs, was top scorer for Sandringham.

Kirkley’s reply didn’t started well again and Jon Bailey was the first man to go.

Bobby Thomas and Aazam Mir had 50 runs plus partnership but with the run rate going up, pressure was mounting.

K&B lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 163, Thomas was the top run getter for the hosts, falling just one run short of a half century.

This Saturday Kirkley & Belton, sponsored by Kia John Grose Lowestoft, are away to Castle Rising. Kirkley A, sponsored by Alan Boswell Insurance Services, beat Acle B by nine wickets.

After again winning the toss Kirkley elected to field.

Acle’s openers started brightly with Rick Forder looking very comfortable, but the breakthrough came with a run out.

Acle, and especially Forder, kept the scoreboard ticking over and wickets were hard to come by but bowlers David Read, Simon Bessey, Johnny Halstein, Conrad Beach and Matty Gander all kept the scoring down. Forder got his 100 and batted very well while Halstein and Bessey were outstanding as Acle finished on 192-7.

Kirkley started very well, with Halstein setting the standard with some attacking strokes and Kevin Barnard playing the defensive role before having to retire hurt through a knee injury. Halstein and Fred Pattern continued the assault, Halstein finally falling for 66 with the score at 157.

Simon Bessey went in at four but it was Pattern who saw Kirkley home with a quality 67 not out. It was an outstanding chase as the team got to 193-1 inside 29 overs to record a brilliant result.

Man-of-the-match was Johnny Halstein.

This Saturday the A team are home at Gunton Park against Horsford fourths while the Sunday team are home at Southtown Common to Aldborough.