As the league season enters the final month, Aldborough produced a timely victory over second in the table Stow A to give themselves a good opportunity of avoiding relegation. Ashley Moakes was the star of the show with a first five wicket haul. Aldborough now sit just seven points behind Bradenham A with three games to play.

Asked to bat first, Aldborough lost Robinson (1) early on. Skinner (14) and Cramp (35) then shared a 57 run partnership for the second wicket before Skinner was caught mistiming a drive. Youngman (18) joined Cramp at the crease and the pair took the team to 87-2.

A change of bowling to spin proved rewarding for Stow A as Youngman was out soon after drinks, leaving a ball that spun back to clip off stump. Cramp was out a few overs later with a long-hop that shot along the ground and trapped him lbw.

Siddall (6) and Buxton (23) steadied the ship and with the latter the aggressor, moved the innings on again to 120-5 after 33 overs as Siddall was bowled. Smith (14) joined Buxton and the pair batted well together until Buxton was caught at deep mid-wicket. Howett (1), Smith and Moakes (3) all then fell in quick succession and the final wicket was taken in the final over as Blackburn (6) was run out with his side on 165.

Setting themselves a potentially defendable total, Aldborough made a good start with the ever consistent Smith (12-2-29-3) making the early breakthrough. Moakes (11-3-21-5) backed this up with a wicket himself and Smith then took two further wickets to leave Stow A 56-4 at drinks. Blackburn (11-1-43-1) did a sound job through the middle overs on his first XI debut, picking up a wicket in the process. Cramp (6-0-28-0) started well but found it difficult to defend the short leg side boundary as the left handed Marshall (57 not out) sought to move the scoreboard along.

At 122-6 after 37 overs, all three results were possible. It was to be Aldborough's day however as Youngman (4-1-14-1) and Moakes took the final four wickets to seal the victory, bowling their opponents out for 148 in 44 overs. After a fantastic bowling performance, backed up with some good fielding, Aldborough can now go in to their final matches with confidence, knowing they are right in the mix to avoid the drop. They travel to Swardeston CEYMS on Saturday.

Black Boys Man of the Match was Ashley Moakes

n Aldborough Sunday XI travelled to Drayton and were very much victims of the weather.

After losing the toss, Aldborough were put into bat which proved to be a good toss to lose with Perry-Warnes (104 not out) quickly into his stride while being well supported by skipper Fisher. The opening stand scored 127 in 20 overs before Fisher fell for a well constructed 29.

Taylor (54 not out) scored a rapid half century and Aldborough reached 239-2 off just 31 overs before the usual summer weather arrived, causing the match to be abandoned.