Porter can't carry Acle to victory

ACLE's Rob Porter put in a man-of-the-match performance, but it wasn't enough to clinch victory despite a fine performance by his side.Acle hosted North Runcton in a game sponsored by N J Hunt, and were in confident mood after a positive result against Topcroft the previous week.

ACLE's Rob Porter put in a man-of-the-match performance, but it wasn't enough to clinch victory despite a fine performance by his side.

Acle hosted North Runcton in a game sponsored by N J Hunt, and were in confident mood after a positive result against Topcroft the previous week.

Runcton skipper Cubitt won the toss and elected to bowl first on what looked like a belter of a track.

Acle got off to a positive start, with Rob Porter returning to form and playing some exquisite shots off the opening bowlers Jefferson and Bunting.

The slow bowlers were introduced early, and began to slow the run rate. Franks (16) was caught by Brown off the bowling of Runcton's South African overseas player Kgamadi.

This wicket brought Matty Short to the crease. The Kiwi started off in positive fashion and looked to attack the bowling.

Porter was now also in confident mood, but played one big shot too many and was bowled trying to sweep off the bowling of Pipkin. Short and Adam Munford then put on a stand of 23, but Short, when attempting to hoist Pipken over midwicket, got a leading edge with the ball going straight up in the air and snaffled by Brown. Munford (33) followed shortly after, adjudged lbw bowled Hemeter.

With the score on 154 with 10 overs to go, club coach Paul Newman was joined by captain Paul Munford, and the pair set about the Runcton bowlers in aggressive fashion.

They put on 80 runs in seven overs with boundaries aplenty, including a big one from Newman which reached the pavilion roof with ease.

Newman (46) was bowled off a slower delivery from Jefferson, and Munford (43) carried on until the penultimate ball before being bowled by Hemeter. Acle finshed with 254-7 from 50 overs, and were reasonably satisfied with their work thus far.

Acle started well in the field, Brown run out for 3, and Pipkin caught behind off the bowling of Newman for 12.

Runcton were 18-2, but had dangermen Harwood and Kgamadi at the crease. Acle had to keep up the pressure, but let their foot off the gas and allowed both batsmen too many free hits, easy runs and extras.

The pair increased the run rate and took the score up 139 before losing their next wicket, Harwood stumped, bowled by Porter for 64. The remainder of the Runcton batsmen stuttered and merely played a supporting role to the impressive Kgamdi, who ended up with 103 not out, and guided Runton to victory with two overs to spare.

This was a disappointing result for Acle, losing their second game of the season but still playing well for long periods of the game.

Next week is an away trip to Old Buckenham, and standards will need to be raised in order to get back into winning ways.

N J Hunt Man of the Match: Rob Porter for his 64 runs and two wickets, plus a fantastic catch.