Acle finished in fifth position in the Norfolk Alliance Premier Division, and although they were were reasonably satisfied, with more consistency they could have finished higher.

Acle finished in fifth position in the Norfolk Alliance Premier Division, and although they were were reasonably satisfied, with more consistency they could have finished higher.

Overall, it was another positive season for Acle Cricket Club.

They entertained Vauxhall Mallards A in the final game of the season at Bridewell Lane, sponsored by Carters Butchers.

Mallard's skipper Steve Goldsmith won the toss and elected to field on a wicket that looked reasonably hard, but green.

Rob Porter and G Handley made a cautious start against the usually impressive opening pair of Goldsmith and De Zoysa.

After an over of bouncers from Goldsmith, Handley (14) attempted to get after the Sri Lankan from the other end, but hoisted a catch to mid-off. Goldsmith removed Short for a first ball duck, and it was left to Porter and young Tom Wilson to rebuild the Acle innings. They put on 110 before Porter went lbw for 73.

The impressive Wilson continued his run of good form with some very fluent stroke play before being caught off the bowling of Young for a superb 81.

Hard-hitting contributions from Paul Newman (19) and Paul Munford (20) saw Acle total 251-8.

Josh Rowe got Acle off to the perfect start, Barton caught at second slip by Munford for one. De Zoysa and Seager rode their luck as they put on 120. Seager's luck finally ran out when he was caught at short mid-off by Porter, bowled Andy Franks for 35.

Franks then removed Barton (8) and Goldsmith joined De Zoysa. Acle's skipper brought Newman back into the attack to start the battle of the pros! And it didn't take Newman long to win the battle against his former county team-mate, and he trapped Goldsmith lbw for eight.

Biss (nought) followed shortly after, with Tom Wilson taking a superb diving catch on the boundary. Acle worked intelligently, and starved De Zoysa of the strike, and the Sri Lankan's innings finished with two overs to go when he was bowled by Jon Lee for 134.

Josh Rowe faced the task of taking two wickets in the final over to seal a win for Acle. Straw (10) was caught at third slip by Newman off the fourth ball of the over, but young Barker saw out the final two balls to secure a losing draw for the visitors.

Carters Butchers MoM: Tom Wilson, 81 runs and a fantastic diving catch.