IN the Norfolk Alliance Premier Division, Cromer 69 all out (4 points) lost to Acle 70-9 (20 points) by one wicket as the bowlers made the most of conditions.

IN the Norfolk Alliance Premier Division, Cromer 69 all out (4 points) lost to Acle 70-9 (20 points) by one wicket as the bowlers made the most of conditions.

Cromer made the trip knowing that any kind of positive result would all but secure their Premier Division status.

The weather threatened to be a problem, and although play was not once interrupted, rainfall had a major impact on the game. The teams arrived to an under-prepared, green, soaked track which proved very telling.

Acle won the toss and as expected chose to bowl first. Openers Turner and Tuck protected their wickets, scoring the odd run whenever possible. Acle finally made a breakthrough in the 23rd over with Handley getting Turner for nine, with Cromer on just 34.

The bowler-friendly conditions saw the batsmen having a really tough time. Liyanage was dismissed for just five and shortly after Kieran Tuck fell to Roberts for 27.

Skipper Roberts and the experienced Newman then ripped through the Cromer line-up with Gavin Neale the only other man to reach double figures (16).

Cromer's last six batsmen scored zero as Cromer were all out for just 69.

Making the most of the poor wicket Newman finished with 5-15 whilst Roberts took 4-13.

Acle had potentially 62 overs to reach their target of 70. Early wickets were key if the north Norfolk side had any hope of getting a result.

Carey dismissed Porter for four in the second over and the Acle batsmen were finding the conditions just as difficult.

Michael Warnes then got the wickets of Handley, Nel, Hobbs and Huggins to leave the hosts 33-5.

The partnership of Munford and Carter seemed to settle the nerves of their side slightly. When Carye got Carter for 13 Acle needed 15 runs with four wickets in hand.

Munford was taking his side toward victory and the scores were tied when Warnes got Newman and Roberts, and Carey got Munford.

Acle were 69-9, having lost three wickets for no runs. But Acle got the remaining run required thanks to a wide.

They just crept over the line in what was a very eventful and unique match which saw just 139 runs scored and 19 wickets lost.

Warnes finished with superb figures of 6-32 whilst Carey took 3-33.

Cromer: D Turner c P Nobbs b G Handley 9, K Tuck c H Nel b S Roberts 27, N Liyanage b P Newman 5, G Neale b P Newman 16, T Davies c P Newman b S Roberts 4, M Warnes c P Newman b S Roberts 0, C Carey c R Porter b S Roberts 0, D Elliott lbw P Newman 0, L Barrett c H Nel b P Newman 0, J Craske not out 0, J Battrick b P Newman 0; extras 8. Total (37.5 overs) 69.

Bowling: H Nel 9-4-9-0, J Lee 7-1-15-0, P Newman 11.5-4-15-5, G Handley 4-0-16-1, S Roberts 6-0-13-4.

Acle: R Portert c-b C Carey 4, G Handley b M Warnes 8, H Nel c L Barrett b M Warnes 11, P Nobbs lbw M Warnes 0, D Huggins c C Carey b M Warnes 0, P Munford lbw C.Carey 21, D Carter c L Barrett b C Carey 13, P Newman c T Davies b M Warnes 4, S Roberts c T Davies b M Warnes 0, J Oakey not out 0, J Lee not out 0; extras 9. Total (25.5 overs) 70-9.