Allan's innings vital

ALDBOROUGH travelled to Beccles after a lay-off of three weeks and achieved expectations of a Norfolk League Division One victory over the bottom team, man of the match Troy Allan hitting 86 in the runs chase.

In drizzling conditions the home team won the toss and elected to bat. Reeve removed the opening pair in the first few overs. Ably supported by Allan, the veteran pace man tied the home side down and took two further wickets to reduce Beccles to 29-4 off 20 overs.

Beccles dug deep and began to build a total. Kevin Bacon and Nick Dingle bowled tightly and the team score of 78-4 after 35 was way below par. Botwright introduced some part-time bowling but Beccles accelerated. Warnes and Ruddock both passed half centuries and amassed 112 for the fifth wicket. The gamble by Botwright eventually broke the partnership but Beccles ended with a healthy 171-7.

Botwright was sent packing in the first over, Reeve was well caught and Farrow played loosely to reduce Aldborough to 30-3. Cooper and Allan worked hard and moved the score on to 57 before the left hander was bowled.

Bacon and Allan began to swing the game back into balance before Bacon, with a runner, was out for 14 with the score at Nelson. Dannett came and went and the task in hand was 55 runs off 10 overs with Flannagan and Allan together.

The South African, despite taking a couple of blows, batted very well and deservedly passed his half-century. Flanagan remained cool and rotated the strike well.

With the weather and darkness closing in and the pitch deterioratingthe task was becoming harder with 40 required off the last six.

Allan pushed on and with a huge six brought the game closer to Aldborough but was dismissed soon after for an excellent 86.

Flannagan took over and brought the team close before he was out and it was left to Skinner to become the hero when he hit a boundary in the final over to win the game.

Man of the Match: Troy Allan.